Complex regional pain syndrome and chiropractic.

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS) are challenging conditions characterized by severe pain, vasomotor, and trophic changes, often following minor injuries.
• Diagnosing CRPS early is difficult due to symptom overlap with other acute injuries.
• Current treatments focus on physical therapy and medications targeting the sympathetic nervous system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the literature on CRPS, including its symptoms, diagnosis, and causal mechanisms.
• To explore alternative treatment modalities for CRPS.
• To investigate the potential role of chiropractic care in CRPS patient rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review encompassing texts, review articles, and randomized clinical trials.
• Analysis of studies on CRPS treatments, causes, and epidemiology.

Main Results:

• Emerging research challenges the traditional view of CRPS causation by excessive sympathetic nervous system activity.
• Evidence for increased sympathetic activity in CRPS is lacking.
• Alternative theories propose increased neurotransmitter receptor sensitivity or local inflammatory processes as potential causes.

Conclusions:

• The underlying mechanisms of CRPS may involve factors beyond sympathetic nervous system dysfunction.
• While direct research is absent, spinal manipulation warrants consideration as a potential therapeutic option for CRPS patients.
• Further investigation into alternative therapies like chiropractic care is suggested for CRPS management.