Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (KRSS)

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a chronic, long-term pain condition that persists for over 6 months. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome normally occurs after an injury and most often affects an extremity (leg, arm, hand or foot). Feel free to follow us on Facebook if you want to stay up to date or have questions about this disorder. The pain syndrome is divided into type 1 and type 2.

Affected by chronic rheumatism and / or chronic pain syndrome? Join the Facebook group «Rheumatism - Norway: Research and News»For the latest updates on research and media coverage of this pain syndrome and rheumatic disorders. Here, members can also get help and support - at all times of the day - through the exchange of their own experiences and advice.

Two different variants of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

KRS is divided into two different types: KRS-1 and KRS-2. People without confirmed nerve damage are classified with type 1 and those with confirmed nerve damage are categorized as type 2. Recent research has shown that there is often evidence of nerve damage in type 1 as well - so the two variants can be merged into one shortly.

Cause: What Causes Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

It is believed that KRS is due to damage to, or dysfunction, in the peripheral and central nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system consists of nerves that are separated from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

Pain Relief: How To Relieve Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Chronic pain can be difficult to treat, but relief is not impossible. Different people have the effect of different things, but recurring pain-reducing measures are things that lower stress levels (yoga, meditation, breathing techniques, etc.) and which increase blood circulation to sore and sore muscles (physical treatment, massage) - as well as adapted joint treatment from a publicly authorized therapist (chiropractor or manual therapist). Self-measures such as self-massage (eg with trigger point balls) towards tense muscles in the shoulders and neck (you know you have some!) and adapted training (preferably in a hot water pool) or with exercise bands, as well as stretching, can be of great help.

Pain presentation: Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

The characteristic symptom of KRS is a constant, significant pain that persists over 6 months. The pain has been described as "burning", "as a sting" or as "a constant pressure" on the affected area.

The pain may be spread over the entire leg or arm - or it may be only in a small area such as a finger or toe. Often the area will be so hypersensitive (allodynia) that even normal touch can be experienced as painful.

People affected by KRS may also experience changes in skin temperature, skin color and possible swelling in the affected area. This is due to abnormal microcirculation due to damage to the nerves that control blood circulation and temperature. As a result, the affected arm or leg may feel hotter or colder than its counterpart. The skin can also change color - to, among other things, bluish, purple, pale or reddish.

Other common symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome are:

Changes in the skin in the area - it can feel thin and shiny
Abnormal sweating patterns
Change in nail and hair growth
Rigid joints in the affected area
Problems with muscle coordination and impaired movement ability
Abnormal movement in the affected extremity - such as locked position, shaking and sudden movements

KRS symptoms can vary in both intensity and duration. Some cases are mild and go away on their own - while other, more serious cases, can persist for life and cause lifelong functional changes in the affected person.

Epidemiology: Who gets Complex Regional Pain Syndrome? Who is most often affected?

Complex regional pain syndrome is most common among women, but can affect both genders. It can occur at any age, but has the highest incidence at the age of 40. KRS is very uncommon among the elderly population and in children under 10 years.

Exercises and stretching: What exercises can help against Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

As mentioned earlier, this is different from person to person. Many people experience improvement with yoga, meditation and other exercises that lower stress levels. Others have the effect of regular stretching of the neck and shoulders, as these tend to stretch extra when you have this disorder. We recommend that you get a good routine that is right for you and that includes daily, customized, stretching of the neck.

Try these: - How To Release Muscle Tensions In The Neck And Shoulder

Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

aches in muscles and joints

When we talk about the treatment of chronic pain syndrome, it is actually most symptom relief that applies - some treatment methods can be:

Physical treatment: This includes treatment measures such as TENS, massage, heat treatment, cold treatment and stretching techniques.
Medical treatment: There are a number of clinically effective drugs in the treatment of KRS. Talk to your GP about which medications and painkillers may be right for you.
Muscle Knut Treatment: Muscular treatment can reduce muscle tension and muscle pain throughout the body.
Joint Treatment: An expert in muscles and joints (eg chiropractor) will work with both muscles and joints to give you functional improvement and symptom relief. This treatment will be adapted to each individual patient based on a thorough examination, which also takes into account the patient's overall health situation. The treatment will most likely consist of joint corrections, muscle work, ergonomic / posture counseling and other forms of treatment that are appropriate for the individual patient.
Nerve Stimulation: Stimulation of damaged nerves can improve function and lead to increased healing.
Rehabilitation Training: An exercise program to keep your sore leg or arm moving and increase blood circulation can be very beneficial. Exercise can also improve extremity flexibility, strength and function. In addition, exercise can also counteract secondary brain changes that are often associated with chronic pain.
Pain Relieving Headache and Migraine Mask: Many people experience almost daily headaches with chronic pain syndromes. Masks like this can be both frozen and heated - this means that they can be used for more acute pain (cooling) and more preventive (heating and increased blood circulation).
Yoga and meditationYoga, mindfulness, breathing techniques and meditation can help lower the level of mental stress in the body. A good measure for those who stress too much in everyday life.

Self-help: What can I do even for chronic pain in the muscles and joints?

As mentioned, it is often the case that we are extra tight in muscles and that pain fibers become more sensitive when we have chronic pain. We always recommend that self-treatment is one of the main measures in the fight against pain - with regular self-massage (eg with trigger point ball) and stretching can help prevent pain in the muscles and joints.

1. General exercise, specific exercise, stretching and activity are recommended, but stay within the pain limit. Two walks a day of 20-40 minutes make good for the whole body and sore muscles.

2. Trigger point / massage balls we strongly recommend - they come in different sizes so you can hit well even on all parts of the body. There is no better self help than this! We recommend the following (click the image below) - which is a complete set of 5 trigger point / massage balls in different sizes:

3. Training: Specific training with training tricks of various opponents (such as this complete set of 6 knits of different resistance) can help you train strength and function. Knit training often involves more specific training, which in turn can lead to more effective injury prevention and pain reduction.

4. Pain Relief - Cooling: Biofreeze is a natural product that can relieve pain by cooling the area gently. Cooling is especially recommended when the pain is very severe. When they have calmed down then heat treatment is recommended - it is therefore advisable to have both cooling and heating available.

5. Pain Relief - Heating: Warming up tight muscles can increase blood circulation and reduce pain. We recommend the following reusable hot / cold gasket (click here to read more about it) - which can be used both for cooling (can be frozen) and for heating (can be heated in the microwave).

6. Prevention and healing: Compression noise like that like this can increase blood circulation to the affected area, thereby speeding up the natural healing of injured or worn muscles and tendons.

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