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Hyperbaric Treatments for Crps

Chronic regional pain syndrome, or CRPS, is a chronic pain condition that features intense pain, burning sensations, swelling, skin sensitivity and sweating in one of the extremities. There currently is no cure for CRPS. Treatments for CRPS using hyperbaric oxygen--where doctors expose patients to pure oxygen at high pressure--have received attention as potential options for CRPS. Understanding hyperbaric treatments for CRPS involves understanding the disease in greater depth, learning more about the nature of hyperbaric treatments and exploring the research on its efficacy.

  1. Current Treatments for CRPS

    • Because the symptoms of CRPS usually follow a nerve injury and occasionally a tissue injury that does not damage the nerves, most treatments for CRPS focus on managing pain through the use of drugs, surgery or physical therapy. Currently, doctors can help the patient manage the pain by using procedures such as nerve blocks where doctors block the affected nerves from feeling anything or installation of a drug pump that feeds pain medication directly into the spinal fluid. Treatments could also include the use of painkillers, steroids, anticonvulsive drugs, electrical stimulation of the spinal cord, psychotherapy, stimulating exercise programs or surgical destruction of the affected nerves. The success rate for any of these treatments is extremely variable from patient to patient. Some patients see the pain go into remission while others remain virtually crippled, with no response to any treatment.

    Why Hyperbaric Treatments are Different

    • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves lying down in a sealed, pressurized chamber and breathing pure oxygen. Doctor usually use hyperbaric oxygen therapy to aid in healing wounds--especially seriously infected ones--because the increased pressure and exposure to pure oxygen helps your blood carry more oxygen throughout your body. These increased levels of pure oxygen stimulate the regeneration of damaged skin and blood vessels and replenish oxygen in tissues starved for it because of swelling. Researchers have shown that treating CRPS patients with hyperbaric oxygen reduces swelling and pain, improves circulation and range of motion, and reduces the need for dependence on painkillers. Many clinical studies have shown hyperbaric oxygen treatments to be safe, well-tolerated and an effective option to treat CRPS. Most CRPS patients who have undergone hyperbaric therapy spend between one and two hours per session in the chamber; the patient's doctor determines how many sessions the patient needs.

    Considerations

    • Despite scientific studies showing that hyperbaric oxygen is an effective treatment for CRPS, the FDA has not approved the use of hyperbaric oxygen for this disease. Consequently, patients cannot receive this treatment for CRPS at hospitals or have it covered by their insurance company. Patients with CRPS who wish to undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy will need to locate a nearby free-standing clinic that specializes in hyperbaric treatments and pay for the therapy out of pocket.

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