1. Pharmacointervention Counteracts Nerve Pain Symptoms
There are a number of medications that can help you manage complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Your doctor will probably begin with mild, over-the-counter analgesics and anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and acetaminophen, and may move to prescription-strength opiods or COX-2 pain inhibitors like celecoxib (Celebrex).
Corticosteroid treatments, taken orally or intravenously, can reduce joint swelling and the discomfort that comes with increasing inflammation and irritation. Your doctor may also recommend taking amitriptyline--an antidepressant--with an anticonvulsant like gabapentin. Some people get significant pain relief from this combination, which targets the neuropathic pain that stems from damaged nerve endings. It takes time and patience to find a drug combination that will maximize your pain relief without causing frustrating side-effects, so listen to your body and make regular appointments with your doctor to discuss your progress.
2. Capsaicin Cream Targets Affected Areas
Capsaicin, made from the seeds of hot chili peppers, has shown promise for some people dealing with CRPS. Apply the cream to isolated, painful regions, but avoid rubbing it into the surrounding tissue. Be aware that capsaicin can irritate unaffected areas of skin, so follow the application instructions carefully. The cream, which may lessen your nerve-related pain, is typically most effective for people in the early stages of disease.
3. Physical Therapy and Biofeedback Establish a Mind-Body Connection
When you visit a physical therapist, he'll probably start by teaching you how to prevent muscle atrophy and deconditioning. Gentle exercises, stretching and low-resistance weight training will improve your range of motion and strength, and may even slow early stages of the condition. If you are unable to exercise regularly without intense pain, your therapist may use biofeedback techniques. During biofeedback, a series of electrodes are placed on your body to measure muscle responses and stress levels. Your therapist will help you develop a mind-body connection so that you can train your brain and body to release tension and control your physiological reaction to pain. If your biofeedback sessions are successful, your therapist can integrate them with exercises to aid in your physical therapy.
4. TENS Units and Spinal Cord Stimulators Interfere With Pain Signals
If you're struggling to find a successful therapy, your doctor may recommend trying to "trick" your body into perceiving lowered levels of pain. The simplest way of doing this is through transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS). During TENS therapy, you'll attach a series of sticky electrodes to painful areas and use a battery-controlled unit to send electrical stimulation to the regions. You can adjust the intensity and frequency of the signal, experimenting to find out what feels the best. TENS units target neuropathic pain by sending signals to affected nerve endings. Before using your TENS unit, meet with your doctor to talk about electrode placement. Electrodes should never be placed on the temples, the front of the neck, over broken skin or too close to the eyes. In addition, TENS units may be contraindicated for some health conditions like epilepsy and heart problems.
5. Spinal Cord Stimulator Implants Block Pain Signals
If your TENS unit is helpful but you are needing more pain relief, your physician may recommend implanting a spinal cord stimulator. During a minor surgical procedure, he'll insert tiny electrodes near your spinal column and attach the leads to a battery pack that sends electrical current to the spine. A spine stimulator is designed to interrupt pain signals before they register with your brain, and some CRPS patients experience major relief after they've mastered the frequencies and voltage levels. You'll feel a mild tingling or massaging sensation when the stimulator is turned on, but you may forget about it as your body adapts to the current. The implant procedure is relatively painless, but you'll have to return to your doctor for a checkup to ensure you don't develop an infection as your incisions heal.
