Treatment of CRPS

Treatment of CRPS Occupational therapy & physiotherapy An interdisciplinary therapy that is tailored to the needs of the patient is essential in the treatment of CRPS. Physiotherapy mainly supports mobility. The patient is encouraged to move independently, despite the pain, in order to reduce rigidity (contractures) as much as possible. However, ignoring the pain completely, in the sense of a ‘pain exposure physical therapy’, does not appear to be useful (Barnhoorn et al. 2015). Specific forms of therapy, such as mirror therapy, ‘graded motor imagery’, and ‘exposure in vivo’ improve the interaction of sensory and movement information in the brain. With regular use, even in self-training, the function and pain improve so that everyday movements can be performed with more ease. Occupational therapy provides special daily routine training. The aim is to make the affected limb get used to everyday sensations again. Occupational therapy also trains fine motor skills and provides aids. In addition to occupational therapy and physiotherapy, regular lymphatic drainage may be carried out to reduce swelling (oedema).