Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026
07:12
Chronic Post-Ischemia Pain Model for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type-I in Rats
Published on: January 21, 2020
8.3K
Comprehensive Mechanisms and Non-Invasive Treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Narrative Review
Hoa Ngan Doan1, Min Cheol Chang1
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Journal of Pain Research
|September 17, 2025
Summary
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a complex chronic pain condition. Understanding its mechanisms aids in developing effective, evidence-based non-invasive treatments for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a systemic disorder with unclear pathophysiology.
- It involves autonomic, sensory, motor, and sudomotor dysfunctions following an initial stimulus.
- CRPS pathogenesis is linked to inflammation, immune responses, neurogenic factors, genetics, and psychological elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide updated insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of CRPS.
- To synthesize evidence-based non-invasive treatments for CRPS.
- To support mechanism-driven clinical decision-making for improved treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on CRPS pathophysiology.
- Synthesis of evidence for non-invasive therapeutic interventions.
- Analysis of underlying mechanisms including sensitization and nervous system dysregulation.
Main Results:
- CRPS involves peripheral and central sensitization, sympathetic nervous system dysregulation, and altered somatosensory processing.
- Pharmacologic options (corticosteroids, ketamine, bisphosphonates) and non-pharmacologic therapies (rehabilitation, TENS, thermal therapy) show efficacy.
- No consensus exists on standardized CRPS treatment protocols, especially for non-invasive approaches.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive understanding of CRPS pathophysiology is crucial for guiding management.
- Mechanism-driven clinical decision-making can enhance the effectiveness of CRPS treatments.
- Further research is needed to establish standardized, evidence-based non-invasive treatment protocols for CRPS.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
1.5K
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
1.5K
01:44Nociception
33.0K
Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain.
33.0K
01:20Pain
1.2K
Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
1.2K