I know this has been discussed before, but I didn't find anything recently. I had appt. with my PNM& R doctor this week and he has ok'd me to go back to OT (I had been out for 8 weeks due to 3 hospitalizations and gall bladder surgery) but the new order has me puzzled. He has ordered contrast baths. I know what cold does to my hand/arm. He knows because he has also ordered a special elbow pad/sleeve. Truthfully I am afraid to go to therapy and have this done. Anyone have this done recently? am I panicking for nothing?

Hot and Cold water Contrast therapy is the second worst treatment after ice. I was told to do it 3 times a day for 7 weeks, when I fnally got to see a specialist he said that and the aggresive physio meant I would never have a chance of remission

I absolutely would not do it if it were me. Based on what I have read and heard it seems like for every one person out there that it has helped (with RSD) there are a lot (like hundreds) who it only makes worse. I'm all for taking a chance on a treatment that might not work...but not so much for risking getting much worse when the chances of success are so small. Everyone has to make their own choices about treatment but make sure you understand the risks involved before going ahead with anything and be prepared to deal with the consequences should things get much worse.

Do not be afraid to disagree with what a doctor prescribes.

It's your body.

And YOU are the best (and often only) advocate for you.

In my humble opinion, contrast baths are not a good idea for CRPS.

In case you need any medical back up, you might check out this commentary on ice treatments for crps which discusses why it is not useful for crps.

http://www.rsdhope.org/crps-and-ice.html

In other research I did briefly on line prior to responding, the use of a MILD contrast bath in warm and COOL not cold, not ice water is indicated in some literature for desensitization.

See page 2 in this example:
http://www.rsds.org/pdf/ptotbrochure_604.pdf

So, I guess what I am wondering is HOW MUCH contrast he/she is recommending, and I totally support your advocating for yourself in accepting or declining any recommended treatments. I have certainly declined treatments when they have been controversial, or have the potential of making my condition worse, and my PM has not balked at my frank discussions with her about my worries, concerns and need to understand and agree with my treatment plan.

I am wishing you the best success possible and hope this somewhat contradictory information is helpful.

Aloha,
Jenny

I hope I'm not too late on giving you my thoughts on this, I was told to do contrast baths as part of my treatment in PT..DON'T DO IT! The pain I experienced during it was excruciating and a persistant one that no matter what was done for hours it lingered. Because I did them for over a month, my RSD went from being only in my foot/ankle to my hip and I attribute this one terrible piece of treatment to it spreading to my other leg. Ice and cold are one of the worst enemys I have encountered while dealing with this, and when you add one of those into the mix for us (people who suffer from RSD) the outcome can be detrimental to properly managing your symptoms. I hope this helps you!