CRPS Treatment
CRPS, or complex regional pain syndrome, is a condition that causes intense, persistent pain usually affecting one arm or leg, often after an injury, surgery, or even a minor knock. The pain is frequently out of proportion to the original injury, and the affected limb may also change colour, temperature or become swollen and sensitive to touch.
The exact cause of CRPS isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought to involve the nervous system responding abnormally after an injury, continuing to send pain signals long after the tissue itself has healed. It most often follows a fracture, sprain or surgical procedure, and it can develop regardless of how minor the initial trauma was. When CRPS follows a lower back injury or spinal surgery, our lower back physiotherapy support often runs alongside CRPS-specific treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment give the best chance of managing symptoms effectively.
Our Treatment for CRPS
Physiotherapy plays a key role in CRPS management, usually alongside input from your GP or a pain specialist. At your assessment, we’ll take a gentle, graded approach, starting with techniques like mirror therapy and desensitisation to help retrain how your nervous system processes signals from the affected limb. As tolerance improves, we’ll introduce graded movement and strengthening exercises, sometimes alongside gentle massage therapy to ease sensitivity and support circulation in the affected limb. Once you’re ready for more demanding activity, sports therapy can help rebuild strength, coordination and confidence in using the limb normally again. Progress is often slower and less linear than with other injuries, so we adjust the pace to what your body can tolerate.
Every case of CRPS is different, so your treatment plan will be built around your specific symptoms and how they respond over time.
Why Choose True Physio?
Expert Physiotherapy Team
All of our Physiotherapists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which means that they fulfil the highest standards of practice required by law. They are also a part of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), demonstrating our commitment to delivering outstanding expertise.
Initial Assessment
At your initial assessment at True Physio, we will find out where your pain comes from and what your goal is before forming a plan to help you achieve that. Our clinicians will take the time to understand your condition, do a detailed assessment, and explain to you the nature of the problem you have. Treatment plans are created with your lifestyle in mind.
Book your appointment now or contact your nearest True Physio clinic to discuss how we can help.
