Short Coverage of CRPS

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

A neurological disorder, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) affects peripheral and central nervous systems. Also referred to as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, CRPS is a chronic pain condition for which there is currently no cure. Children and adults of any age can suffer from this disease.

What Causes CRPS?

Cases of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) do not always have an underlying cause. For many people, however, the disease occurs following one of several circumstances, including a sprain, a broken bone, or a surgery. Characterized by an intense burning sensation that is not consistent with the injury, CRPS is easily identifiable if physicians know what to look for. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Other Symptoms of CRPS
In addition to intense burning of the affected area, patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) often experience swelling of the limb, excessive sweating, and discoloration of the affected limb. Often affecting one of the feet, legs, arms, or hands, the pain often radiates along the entire joint or limb of the affected area. This pain can be debilitating in nature. Fortunately, for some sufferers, a sudden remission of the disease does occur. But for many sufferers, the disease is progressive and the pain constant.
Treatment Options for CRPS
There is currently no cure for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Therefore, people with the disease must seek one or more available treatment options. To alleviate the burning sensation, anti depressants are often prescribed. Other methods of treatment include topical analgesics, cortic steroids, sympathetic nerve blocks and physical therapy. Because a single medication can rarely treat the symptoms of CRPS, many treatment options are often needed to help alleviate pain.
The Future of CRPS
More information is needed for physicians and emergency room staff to be able to prevent incidences of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). By knowing what to look for, the number of occurrences of the disease can diminish. In addition, organizations such as the National Institute of Mental Health are working on ways to more aggressively intervene in cases of traumatic injury in order to prevent CRPS.
If you need legal representation concerning your CRPS case, an attorney familiar with your disease is your best option. With so many people unaware of CRPS, its symptoms, treatments, and preventions, an attorney who has experiences with cases such as yours is vital. CRPS is a painful disease. You do not have to battle it alone. There is someone on your side.

Some Treatments for RSD

Treatment for RSD

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is a neurological condition affecting millions of people. The onset of the disease can occur any time during childhood or adulthood, though many cases are seen in people between the ages of 40 and 60.
The disease often originates after a trauma of some sort, including heart attack, stroke, an injury where a broken bone, fracture, bruise, or sprain results, a head injury, or after a surgery. For some sufferers, there is no known origin of the disease.
There is currently no cure for RSD. Because of this, patients must seek various treatment options geared toward managing their pain and symptoms (which may include intense, burning pain; edema; skin discoloration of the affected area; sensitivity to touch, excessive sweating; and limited mobility of the affected area).
Treatment of RSD is not simple. That is because the disease in general is complicated. Some people report no known cause for the onset of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. For others, the disease originates after an injury such as a fall, a broken bone or sprain, a head injury, a heart attack or stroke, or after a surgery. It may also become present in someone with a repetitive motion disorder such as carpal tunnel, or even following a simple bruise.
With such a wide pool of onset possibilities, it's no wonder this disease is difficult to treat, at best. But because there is currently no cure for RSD, treatment of the disease must be aggressive and swift.
Treatment: Why is it so Important?
Unlike many diseases, there is currently no cure for RSD. This is especially difficult because RSD is often a progressive and debilitating disease. Often beginning with an intense, burning sensation in the affected area, the disease can quickly progress to include additional symptoms including sensitivity to touch, excessive sweating, skin discoloration, and restricted movement ability. Treatment is therefore imperative to manage the symptoms of the disease. In RSD cases, early and prompt intervention can mean the difference between manageable pain and years of intolerable suffering.
Treatment Options for RSD Patients
Several possible treatments are available for RSD patients. Because the causes, symptoms, and intensity of the disease vary among individuals, patients often have the most success when they utilize a variety of available treatment options to manage their pain and symptoms.
Treatments for the management of RSD includes topical analgesics, anti-depressants, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sympathetic nerve blocks. This is only a small sample of the treatments RSD patients may utilize to help them with their symptoms.
Regardless of the treatment option(s) you choose, you may need an attorney to help you with your RSD case. Because the disease is still unknown to many, it may be difficult to prove your need for various treatments and interventions. A qualified attorney who is knowledgeable about your disease can help you get the quality care you need. Don't try to face this disease alone. Attorneys are available to assist you today.

Homeopathic/Holistic Treatment for RSD

Treatments for RSD must begin as soon as possible following diagnosis of the disease. This helps prevent the disease from reaching advanced stages and causing additional chronic pain. Standard treatments for RSD include medications such as topical analgesics and anti-depressants, various therapies, and other medical interventions including sympathetic nerve blocks.
Homeopathic/holistic treatment for RSD is another option patients may consider for pain and symptom management. As with traditional treatments, holistic treatments may need to be combined for optimal results.
Some of the homeopathic treatments that have been used successfully in RSD cases include massage (lymphatic massage is especially helpful to calm the nervous system without stimulating blood flow), acupuncture/acupressure (controls pain by inserting very thin needles into the skin for various amounts of time), physiotherapy (helps patients regain balance, flexibility, strength, and muscle mass), herbal medicines (ex. Dynamint: a mixture of peppermint, tee-tree oil, eucalyptus, and calendula-a muscle balm), and antioxidants/nutritional supplements (help to strengthen the immune system).
Gaining popularity as a homeopathic/holistic treatment for RSD, Qi Gong (pronounced "chee gong") is a treatment that employs simple exercises and slow movements to help rebalance the body's energy (Qi). Qi Gong masters are said to be able to transmit energy to others, thus improving their health.
Homeopathic/holistic treatment for RSD may be a viable option for those who have failed to see results with traditional medicine. However, as with all treatment options, homeopathic/holistic treatment for RSD should be evaluated by your doctor before you begin any program.
If you or someone you know needs an attorney regarding their RSD case, it is important that he or she understands RSD, it's causes, symptoms, and treatments, in order to provide you with the legal support you deserve. Attorneys are available to help you and to aid you in reclaiming your rights.