Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
(CRPS)

Dave Clarke, MD

“Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) refers to a set of symptoms with no identified cause, typically affecting an arm, hand, leg, or foot.

Symptoms include pain that may feel aching or electric-like, along with sensations such as tingling, burning, or numbness.

It often begins after an injury, though the injury may not involve the affected area. Swelling or changes in skin color (red, blue, or purple) may also occur.

CRPS can be limited to one limb or spread to others.

There is no evidence that CRPS is caused by a structural disease, and symptoms have been successfully treated using the mindbody approach. This suggests that CRPS is likely caused by the brain, with possible involvement of the autonomic nervous system in cases with swelling or skin color changes.”

  • Why would the brain do this? Nearly always, one or more types of stress is involved even if this is not fully recognized at first.

    Press the arrows!

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

    Experiences that would make you sad or angry if they happened to a child for whom you care.

  • Stressful Personality Traits

    Such as focusing too much on the needs of others, excessive self-criticism, perfectionism, lack of assertiveness, and many others.

  • Unrecognized Negative Emotions

    Such as anger, fear, shame, grief, or guilt.

  • Triggers

    Including people, situations, or events that remind you of stressful situations.

  • Current Life Stresses

    Such as work, parenting, pressure from loved ones, or major life changes.

  • Mental Health Challenges

    Such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress.

The good news is that all these sources of stress can be successfully diagnosed and treated.

To explore whether this applies to you, take the self-diagnostic quiz below. It consists of 12 simple 'Yes or No' questions. The more 'Yes' answers you provide, the more likely it is that the resources on this website can help.