Alternative Treatments for CRPS

Complex regional pain syndrome, often referred to as CRPS, can affect any area of the body but typically strikes the arms or legs. This condition usually results from an injury or infection in the area. What prompts CRPS remains unknown, but possible triggers include damage to the sympathetic nervous system or an improper immune response that triggers inflammation, redness and swelling. CRPS causes severe burning pain disproportionate to the cause of the problem, which tends to spread to the whole limb and/or the opposite one. Standard treatment typically involves medications and physical and occupational therapy. Some alternative methods might help alleviate the pain as well, though you should not forgo other treatments.

Dietary Interventions

• The foods you eat play a large role in the inflammatory process, as some contain substances that promote inflammation while others contain substances that quell it. If CRPS does result from an improper immune response, doing all you can to reduce inflammation can help. Inflammation worsens as a result of improper immune function and it also worsens the problems the faulty response triggers. Reducing the inflammatory response in your body will also directly impact pain.

  Alternative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil recommends following an anti-inflammatory diet if you suffer from autoimmune issues or chronic pain and CRPS includes both of these elements. The nonprofit organization Promoting Awareness of RDS and CRPS Canada (PARC) also advocates this type of diet. Foods that promote inflammation include refined grains, sugar, omega-6 fatty acids like sunflower and safflower oil, trans fats and most animal proteins. Foods that ease inflammation include healthy fats like those found in fish, nuts and seeds as well as antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables; eat a variety from across the color spectrum to maximize your intake of the variety of antioxidants they hold.

Alternativve Treatment Modalities

• According to the Albert Einstein School of Medicine, you might find relief from alternative treatment modalities like acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machines. Acupuncture operates on the premise that energy channels throughout the body can become blocked, resulting in various symptoms. By stimulating specific points on the body related to the affected area, it can unblock the energy flow and promote healing and normal functioning. Using a TENS machine involves attaching electrodes to the body which then deliver low electrical currents that block the pain signal. You can purchase TENS machines for your personal use, but consult with your doctor or physical therapist for guidance before using this treatment.

  PARC also recommends massage for its ability to calm an overactive nervous system. It notes many patients with CRPS often experience fluid build up in the affected area; in this instance you might consider manual lymph drainage massage to facilitate the removal of excess lymph fluid in the affected limb.

Mind/Body Medicine

• Mind/body medicine has been long recommended to deal with chronic pain issues. Whether they actually target the pain directly or not, engaging in these types of activities can help change your perception of the pain. Oftentimes, the mental response to physical discomfort can intensify the sense of suffering. PARC reports that research has shown CRPS patients who practiced Qi Gong reduced pain and stimulated the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that plays a role in muscle relaxation, rest and repair. Yoga can also induce this type of response. Other methods include meditation, deep breathing and visualization.

Chiropractic Care

• Chiropractor David Leprich, who treats patients with CRPS, recommends spinal manipulation as an alternative treatment for this condition, since the nervous system lies in part in the spinal cord. He explains any dysfunction in this area of the body can affect the nervous system adversely, exacerbating a condition like CRPS.