Chronic pain conditions have confounded the medical establishment for time immemorial. These issues have no clear cause, and thus many physicians assume that the pain is purely psychological.
While it is true that many types of chronic pain, such as CRPS, have a psychological component, it is not fair to say that the ailment is purely a problem within the mind.
Rather, there are social, physical, and emotional components to CRPS as well. All of these must be considered if the patient is to regain function and learn how to navigate the world with their condition.
In this post, we’ll review five of the best treatments for CRPS and CRPS symptoms. If you or a loved one suffers from this condition, consider seeking out a practitioner who offers some or all of these options!
Treatment #1: Water Therapy
Moving around in the water feels good for nearly everyone. The buoyancy effect of a pool allows patients to feel weightless, which makes moving easier and less painful. Plus, the heat of the water can soothe aching joints and muscles, enabling patients to decrease their pain in general.
No matter what condition a person suffers from, moving and exercising can be helpful. Doing so in the water makes it feasible for these patients to participate in exercise to the best of their abilities.
Treatment #2: Massage
Some people with CRPS respond well to various massage techniques. By gently manipulating the soft tissue structures near their injury site, practitioners can help to promote blood flow to the area, which may improve healing.
Furthermore, massage can help to relax a person’s body and mind, which may address some of the psychological components of the condition in question.
Treatment #3: Mirror Therapy
An interesting treatment option, known as mirror therapy, has recently been used with patients who suffer from CRPS. This treatment, which requires the patient to mimic movements in a mirror with their non-painful limb and painful limb, has helped many people to rewire their brains and move past the pain.
Often used for amputees, mirror therapy is showing great promise for many different chronic pain conditions as well, such as fibromyalgia and CRPS.
Treatment #4: Meditation
Because CRPS has a heavy psychological and emotional component, meditation can go a long way toward easing symptoms. While there are tons of different types of meditation, it’s important to find one that will work for you.
If you’re feeling a little leery about the prospect of meditating, you should note that it doesn’t imply a religious experience or any sort of specific transcendent practice. Meditation can simply involve you sitting and focusing on your breathing for a few minutes a day, with your eyes open or closed.
Recently, meditation has been shown to be incredibly effective for increasing well-being and health in patients, regardless of their diagnosis.
Treatment #5: Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors work primarily with the spine. In fact, they ensure that the spine is in proper alignment, so that every system and part of the body can operate at its optimal level. They do this by performing manipulations on segments of the spine that have subluxed, or fallen out of their proper position.
By manipulating these segments, chiropractors can influence various parts of the body, such as the cardiovascular system, the muscular system, and the skeletal system. When the spine is in perfect alignment, all parts of the body function properly, including those affected by CRPS.
If you are looking for ways to overcome your CRPS, consider chiropractic care. Our team at At Last Chiropractic, your go-to Lithia chiropractor, can help you today. Book your appointment now!
