Hi MIMI,

sorry you have rsd. I just read this thread and you wonder about alternative.I do self hypnosis which like Ada is basically putting yourself in deep relaxation. Tricky with pain but if you keep trying it can be mastered. I use it everyday regardless of pain level. I wish I could stay there forever but then they would call me a hypnotic addict. My pain meds are quite reduced.

as far as acupuncture I tried only 2 times. Extremely painful for me while placing needles even though I have been a recipient of acupuncture for years for Fibro/CFS and only got pleasure from acu. with rsd acu helped about 10 minutes post insertion of needles, as the OMD removed them I had more discomfort again and while being driven home the pain became much more intense. I have heard of people having really good results though.

The best thing to do would be to try anything that may help.....after researching first.

My hypnosis practitioner taught me in 1997. If you try this make sure you get someone certified.

Wishing you ease in finding things that help.

Debbie

also, angel: i have a therapist friend who's willing to give me discounted craniosacral, partly because he's very new at the process. i'm thinking of taking him up on the offer.


this helped me alot in the beging havent done this in awhile but it defenitly cant hurt

carrie

I was wondering if anyone had tried any hypnosis, there is also some other types of mental type therapies.
One I used for my RSI pain was called EFT {emotional freedom technique}.
the site about it has a free PDF you can download to learn the basics so you can self treat.

http://www.emofree.com/default2.htm

It sounds kind of wacky but it did help with my rsi pain.
I just did the tapping sequences and not the phrases.

I have been doing hypnosis for years and it helps at bedtime. I also used it when I was getting blocks. The nurses would help me with it also before blocks. Last year I was in an auto accident and went to my massage lady who introduced me to EFT. She got me started with the tapping but the phrases made me nuts to do. So I just do the tapping and it is just another distraction for me.......I will try anything. I also go to a woman who is certified in Somatics. She is a Physical Therapist at our hospital. She does massage also but I learned the somatics from her. You can google it.

The book I have is SOMATICS reawakening the minds control of movement, flexibility, and health.By Thomas Hanna. The photos are not very good I reccomend going to a practitioner and using the book in between for reference/homework.

PS I love this. I was very athletic before rsd. This is the level of athletics I can do now.

in response to the shoe question: i wear gym shoes--new balance for a while, now i've got sauconys and another brand that's slipping my mind--and ugg duck boots for cold weather--all with inserts designed for people with high arches (my doctor-made inserts aggravated the pain so badly i couldn't sleep! that guy was a QUACK). after years of going without heels (except at weddings and funerals, where i had to sit as much as possible), i found a pair of one-inch merrell heels ("plaza bandeau") that, with an insert, don't always aggravate the pain! they are miraculous. i feel like marilyn monroe in them after wearing gym shoes with dresses so many times.
i do some visualizing, but i've never done real guided meditation. my boyfriend's into it, and i think i'm going to try it too. also the paraffin bath. has anyone had luck with epsom salts?
also, can anyone recommend a good physical therapist in chicago? i tried the rehab institute, but i'm not continuing past the brief program i did there.
i'm having a low-pain day today, and i wish you all the same blessing!

Hi after every other specialty I saw a holistic doctor. He had me taking a lot of supplements. Right now the ones I continued with are magnesium glycinate,fish/flax seed,calcium with d,multi,vit c.I have done biofeedback which I found very helpful,guided imagery and relaxation tapes. I don't like epsom salt but do like warm baths but that is just me. I am not sure of a pt person but isn't Rush hospital in Chicago and I had a friend who went to a pain clinic there for rsd so maybe if you call there they can guide you in the direction.

I think its fantastic that your RSD symptoms are limited in area though I realize the pain is overwhelming regardless of the area one is afflicted.
I've been coping w/RSD for 15 years-its everywhere
I find massage very therapuetic but can't say it heals.
I'm currently undergoing cold laser therapy and have had great success so far but we did have to make adjustments to find what worked best and in that process took a couple of temporary steps backward but then many steps forward in benefit and relief. Worth looking into.

Besides a great family support system & my faith-all invaluable, I have a service dog. He helps me with stability and mobility and the management of my pain/blood pressure. Keeps me going which in turns improves my function and reduces my pain level. Check out options if you feel you need this support & it works for your lifestyle.

Good luck.

I find the big things are little things. Warm water, relaxation,
good diet, and always watching for the triggers. Ghinko Biloba
is important to me.

I always exercise when I can but anm still not sure I should.