Hello,

Like other's have said this is a very scary thing to deal with. I am sorry you are also suffering with this horrible condition but, I am glad you found us.

Regarding physical therapy: I am also a firm believer in the overall benefits of regular therapy whether that is in formal therapy or at home. That being said there are differences in the type of therapy that a formal PT will provide as many are geared towards improving performance or previous athletic abilities. Once CRPS has set in this form of therapy would likely be less than beneficial and may even cause symptoms to increase or jump to other body parts. If you are going to formal therapy it would be best to discuss specifically Neurorehabilitation Therapy as this is geared towards rehabilitation for those afflicted with nervous system conditions/diseases. This type of therapy is much gentler and therapists providing it generally understand the adverse affects that are often triggered if the sympathetic nervous system is over stimulated during therapy sessions.

Regarding immobilization: unless there is a mechanical reason (ie; broken bone) for the immobilization then this is counter productive for those affected with CRPS. It is imperative to keep the affected limb moving to try to prevent the signals to the brain from increasing pain due to fear and furthering pain of disuse. If you haven't already discussed the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy with your doctor this would be of great benefit especially while you are still in the early stages and show signs of progress.

My thoughts on massage: I get regular massage but not directly on the areas of acute CRPS pain. Any physical contact to my primary source of CRPS pain is only done by my own hand as I am the only one who can feel what it is doing to my sympathetic nervous system to know when it is causing to much pain. Your peripheral nerves (the ones that sense touch, hot, cold etc.,) are obviously heightened with touch and if this area is stimulated through massage by an unknowing hand this would likely increase pain (I would go through the roof if someone massaged that area.. just the thought makes me want to vomit) and make the rest of your nervous system fire up afterwards which isn't good. It would be better for them to use a mirror and massage the opposite foot while you are watching the mirror, like with desensitization therapy. If you can tolerate touching your CRPS ankle and foot lightly without increasing your overall pain then please keep doing that regularly and lightly.

If you are healed structurally then pool walking, riding a stationary bike, walking on a treadmill and doing isometric exercises regularly will help you in the long run.

Do you have a PM doctor?