Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition implicated by high levels of nerve signals being sent to a specific part of the body—usually an arm or a leg. CRPS most commonly develops after an injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack is sustained. CRPS is incurable, most often occurring between the ages of 20 and 35, affecting more women than men. The pain caused by CRPS is vastly out of proportion to the severity of the initial injury. No one knows what causes CRPS to develop, but it is thought to be caused by an injury to or abnormality in the peripheral or central nervous system.
CRPS is caused by two events:
- Type 1 is most common, and is also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD). This occurs after an illness or injury that didn’t directly impact the nerves in the affected limb.
- Type 2 is called causalgia and results in pain following a specific nerve injury.
As mentioned, the cause of CRPS is not well understood. What researchers do understand is that CRPS tends to manifest after a major injury to an arm or leg. However, even minor traumas can cause CRPS.
The symptoms of CRPS include:
- Changes in skin tone or color
- Swelling
- Changes to hair or nail growth
- Limited mobility
Every patient will require different treatment options, though some of the more common CRPS treatments include:
- Pain-relievers or steroids
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which eases pain by applying electrical impulses to nerve endings, essentially sending pain down different neural pathways.
- Physical therapy
- Neuromodulation, which involves using electrical stimulation to slow the nerve firing and decrease pain altogether.
Some of these treatments are effective, but more recently, ketamine infusions have shown great promise as one of the most effective ways to fight the symptoms of CRPS. With CRPS, the central nervous system changes course and sends pain signals to the body due to activation of NMDA nerve cell receptors in the brain. Ketamine works to block those receptors from firing, thus decreasing the symptoms of chronic pain.
Ketamine infusions are monitored by highly trained professionals in a clinical setting, and generally provide relief within 1-2 hours of the first infusion. Some patients experience relief for up to 11-months post-infusion, though other patients may need more frequent visits. Everyone is different, so you will need to consult your ketamine infusion clinic to see if ketamine infusions are the best option for you.
Ketamine infusions are a lifesaver for those suffering from chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and more. If you or a loved one is struggling, please use the form below to contact RestoratIV Ketamine Wellness Centers for a free phone consultation.
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