Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - Professional Rehabilitation Services

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

By: Dr. Samantha Crisafulli, PT, DPT, Cert. DN

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a form of chronic pain that typically develops after an injury, surgery, stroke or a heart attack. CRPS usually affects and arm or a leg and its cause is unknown. However, treatment is most effective when started early and is most cases, remission is possible.

Symptoms of CRPS include but are not limited to:

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | CRPS
  • Continuous burning or throbbing pain
  • Sensitivity to touch or cold
  • Swelling
  • Changes in skin temperature and skin color
  • Changes in skin texture
  • Changes in hair/nail growth
  • Joint stiffness
  • Decreased ability to move the affected body part.

 Symptoms can persist for months to years but varies from person to person. CRPS may occasionally spread to somewhere else in the body, such as the opposite limb.

Treatments for CRPS include medication, nutrition (eating anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits, vegetables and fish and avoiding caffeine or spicy foods), and physical therapy. Since physical therapists are movement specialists, they can improve quality of life in a patient with CRPS. With a referral from your MD, physical therapists will perform a mechanical and musculoskeletal examination of your affected body part. Treatment would consist of soft tissue mobilization, passive stretching, range of motion and therapeutic exercises, all with the goal of improving mobility, flexibility and strength to allow you to return to daily activities with decreased compensation and pain.

At Professional Rehabilitation Services, we treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions using the latest in evidence-based therapies provided by highly credentialed physical therapists. Professional Rehabilitation Services has eight convenient locations in Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach, Market Common, Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, and Little River. For further information on this or other related topics you can contact Richard DeFalco, DPT, OCS, CSCS, CWcHP at Professional Rehabilitation Services (Myrtle Beach) (843) 839-1300, Brian P. Kinmartin PT, DPT, MTC, STC, OCS, CWcHP (Pawleys Island) (843) 235-0200, Richard A. Owens, MPT, OCS, Cert. SMT, CWcHP (Surfside) (843) 831-0163, Jill P. Phelan, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Conway) (843) 773-3031, Lisa O'Brien, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Murrells Inlet) (843) 314-3224, Brandon Stanley, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Little River) (843) 281-4222, Samantha Crisafulli PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Carolina Forest) (843) 282-0440, Zach Daniels PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Market Commons) (843) 213-6338, and our longs office (843) 491-0388 or visit our website at www.prsrehabservices.com where you can learn more about the company and even download a referral form for your physician to fill out. You can also call and schedule a free 15-minute consultation.

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Our Locations

From Pawleys Island to Myrtle Beach and Conway, Professional Rehabilitation Services provides Physical Therapy Services for the Georgetown, Pawleys Island, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, Socastee, Myrtle Beach, Conway and Little River South Carolina communities.