My doctor originally gave me the patches for my hands, they did nothing for my hands. When RSD spread to feet thought to try them again and they do take the superficial burning feel down a level plus the cushioning effect is good for walking
Jeanne

Sorry I got on a soap bax, from what I have read you should only do PT you can as for doing aggressive treatment I guess it all depends on the person.

I know my doc and my PT all say aggressive PT will do me more harm than good, I cannot be near any loud machines either as one of my restrictions, along with driving or beig a passanger,I have alot of restrictions so far from my doc. Again I guess it all depeds on the person or case. So if aggressive PT was good for you and others that is the way to go sice RSD is so hard to pin down.

When I was first diagnosed "aggressive" in the definition of my PM doctor meant medication, blocks and continue moving the RSD affected areas. Blocks and medication early in the disease can sometimes put RSD into remission.
For me the best approach has been an easy does it routine. Using but not abusing my hands and feet. Anything that you have to recover from for a week would be something I would reconsider doing. Your body is trying to tell you something.
On the otherside my sisters niece has RSD and wouldn't do anything with her affected arm. Swelling set in so she got a SCS which reduced the swelling and then overdid it by waterskiing and pulled the leads out. The swelling went right back into the arm. They could never get the SCS right again so she just had a pain pump put in. Hopefully this will work for her, she's way too young to be going through this.
Jeanne

"aggressive" to me and my PT when we talked to day during therapy means some docs wanting people to do too much with the affected part like using weights, and so on thier are people who have suffered this way and I feel for them to be pushed and protted and told no pain no gain is wrong.

Yes a block may help if caught within the 6 month window the key is you have a 6 month widow and it may help but I wish I had that chance! I begged for it, but was told nothing wrong all in your head and now I sit here looking back and thinking I had a chance! so any of you if you get a early diagnoses go get your blocks and try! you have more to gain than lose!
Sorry for your sister,I hope she gets some relief soon. good luck!

I just looked at your tiger and put it with you name on here. Too funny.

Blocks sometimes work later on with RSD. I've seen it work for many people. There is a nurse at our hospital in the operating room section that had TOS surgery years ago and then ended up with RSD in her right foot and knee. When she sees it's trying to come out she will go have blocks to calm it down so she can work.

I realize they don't work on everyone though but they are always worth a shot as you said.

Ada