Ayurvedic Treatment For Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Abstract

CRPS or Complex regional pain syndrome is a condition where chronic pain usually affects the leg or arm of a person. This syndrome generally develops after a surgery, injury, heart attack or stroke. Initial injury and the pain developed after it is out of proportion. CRPS is not a common condition and the cause behind it is generally not known. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis. Remission can be seen in such cases after improvement. As this is a rare condition hence you might not be able to get proper information about it at one place. Hence this article is all about CRPS and its Ayurvedic management and treatment.

Introduction

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome is the other name given to Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). In this condition there occurs a chronic pain at specific location due to the high nerve impulses level sent to that affected part. Dysfunction in the peripheral nervous system or central nervous system is thought to be the cause of it. People between the age of 20-35 years are more commonly affected by CRPS. This syndrome is rare in elderly people and children. Men are less often affected by it than women.

Ayurvedic Aspect Of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

As per Ayurveda the CRPS is caused due to the imbalance of Vata dosha or also known as Vata vyadhi. Neuromuscular or neurological disorders like CRPS are correlated with Vata vyadhi. Vitiation of Vata dosha results in numbness, pain and weakness.

Signs And Symptoms Of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Length and severity of the symptoms of the CRPS may vary in different people. However one common symptom of CRPS is chronic, intense and continuous pain in particular, which keeps on getting worse and does not get better with time. If the triggering factor is injury which means the CRPS have started after an injury then the pain occurring is out of proportion with the degree of injury. For example if the injury is only on the toe or finger, the pain may spread to the whole leg or arm. In extreme cases this pain may even spread to the other opposite extremity. There are some other signs and symptoms that can be found in CRPS like:

• Pain is of burning character
• Cold or touch sensitivity
• Affected joints become swollen and stiff
• Ability of moving affected part is decrease with motor disability
• Changes in hair or nail growth pattern like either there is no growth of hair or the growth is rapid
• Changes in skin, like temperature of the skin is affected. Skin of one hand is colder or warmer than the other hand. Color of skin also may become pale, blotchy, red or purple. There are also changes in texture making skin thin and shiny. Sometimes there is too much sweating on the skin.

Causes Of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Usually the cause of CRPS is not clear or known. It is unlikely to be caused by a single cause and there are multiple causes which result in signs and symptoms of CRPS. There are many theories like sensitivity to a group of nervous system messengers, i.e. catecholamines of the affected body part become high. Whereas when the CRPS is triggered by injury then the cause is said to be an autoimmune reaction of the body resulting in an inflammatory response causing warmth, redness and swelling of the area affected. Other than injury CRPS can be triggered by infection, stroke, heart attack, cancer, pressure on a nerve or neck problems.

Diagnosis Of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

No specific test can diagnose the CRPS however certain tests are used to rule out other similar symptoms causing conditions. Changes in blood circulation and bone can be identified by triple-phase bone scans. Your doctor will take case history and may also use a heat, cold, touch stimulus to check whether the pain is in a particular area. Initially the symptoms are mild or few, it is difficult to confirm the diagnosis of CRPS. However the presence of a triggering factor, signs and symptoms and absence of any other probable cause will help in confirming it.

Treatment Of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

As CRPS is generally considered to be incurable hence the conventional treatment given for it includes physical therapy, psychotherapy, medicines like narcotics, topical analgesics, corticosteroids, antidepressants, antiseizure drugs and osteoporosis medicines. Other treatment measures include sympathetic nerve blocks, surgical sympathectomy, spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal medicines.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

As there is vitiation of Vata dosha in Complex regional pain syndrome, hence the Ayurvedic treatment is given to restore the balance of Vata dosha and eventually health. This can be done by different Ayurvedic measures like svedam (fermentation), abhyanga (oil massage), pain relieving lepa and Ayurvedic remedies to restore balance of Vata.

Herbal Remedies For Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Planet Ayurveda is a renowned herbal company and store which deals with production of herbal and natural remedies and products as well as further their application for the treatment of patients by experienced Ayurvedic doctors. All these remedies are purely herbal and vegetarian and free from chemicals, preservatives, additives, dye, colors, fillers or yeast. For CRPS Planet Ayurveda offers a combination of herbal remedies.

Products List

1. Ashwagandha Capsule
2. Musli Strength
3. Rumogin 5 Capsule
4. Yograj Guggul
5. Nourish-Maxx Powder

Products Description

1. Ashwagandha Capsule

These Ayurvedic capsules are prepared using a single medicinal herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in standardized form. Ashwagandha capsules help in preventing injuries to muscles, strengthen them and treat overall weakness.

Dosage: Take 1 capsule twice after meals with plain water.

2. Musli Strength Capsules

Musli strength capsules give strength to the muscles and help in their healthy functioning. These capsules are prepared using two medicinal herbs, Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) and Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris).

Dosage: Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plan water.

3. Rumogin 5 Capsule

These capsules are made using herbs like Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), Haridra (Curcuma longa), and Maricha (Piper nigrum). Rumogin 5 capsules help in promoting healthy muscles and bones, and strengthen them.

Dosage: Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water.

4. Yograj Guggul

Yograj guggul is composed of guggul (Commiphora mukul), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Devdaru (Cedrus deodara), Pippali (Piper longum), chitraka, Jeeraka (Cuminum cyminum), (Plumbago zeylanica), Ardraka (Zingiber officinale), Mustaka (Citrus rotundus), etc. These Ayurvedic tablets help in strengthening bones and muscles, prevent damage to them and help in treating injury caused to them.

Dosage: Take 2 tablets twice daily after meals with plain water.

5. Nourish-Maxx Powder

It is prepared using Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). As the name suggests Nourish Maxx powder nourishes the whole body and aids healing.

Dosage: Take 1 teaspoon twice daily with normal water.

Conclusion

It can be difficult diagnosing and treating CRPS but early diagnosis with proper observation and correct treatment can improve the prognosis of the condition.