Manual Therapy is Helpful in the Treatment of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Lawyer in Sacramento. For people who live with chronic pain, every day can be a challenge. Some days, the pain may be a nagging feeling ever present in the back of the mind. Other days, the pain could feel like an avalanche that prevents people from getting out of bed. One of the diseases that can cause chronic pain, called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), is often overlooked by medical professionals. For those who have this disease, the symptoms may include:
- Chronic, intractable pain in one or more limbs
- Changes in the texture or growth of the hair or nails
- Changes in the sensation of temperature and pressure in the affected limb
- Hypersensitivity to touch
- An increased risk of mental health disorders, such as depression
Some of the statistics related to Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy include:
- Women are impacted by RSD more often than men
- The average age at which people are diagnosed with this disease is around 40
- There are between two and six million people living with this disease in the United States
- This disease impacts 26 out of every 1,000 people in the United States
Because of the severity of these symptoms, it is important for everyone with this disease to take a comprehensive approach in its treatment. While much of the treatment focuses on the use of pain medication or nerve stimulation, it is important to think about more conventional treatment options as well. One recent research study focused on the role of manual therapies in the treatment of RSD. The results of the study have significant implications in the treatment of RSD.
A Research Study: Manual Therapies in the Treatment of RSD
A research study was recently published in the Journal of Physiotherapy exploring people who had been diagnosed with RSD in their lower extremities. Patients received multiple lumbar spine massage sessions per week spread out over 3-4 months. Their improvement was measured by both a disability index and a functional use index. Over the course of 12-20 weeks, individuals had their symptoms rated on both scales. By the end of the study, all patients had shown a significant improvement in both their disability and function. This study shows that, in addition to conventional medical therapies, manual therapies, such as massage, can play an important role in the treatment of RSD. Individuals impacted by this disease should strongly consider employing massage therapy as part of their treatment regimen. It could lead to a significant improvement in their quality of life.
Help from a Legal Adviser with RSD
While it is important for everyone with RSD to find the most appropriate medical care for their disease, it is just as important to seek help from professionals outside of healthcare. When a family struggles with RSD, they can feel a significant amount of stress from issues related to work, school, and even insurance claims. For help with this, meeting with an experienced RSD Lawyer in Sacramento is a good idea. There are many attorneys to choose from, and families may not know how to go about choosing the right legal adviser for them. While I do hope that you decide to work with me and my team, it is important for you to find an attorney who listens to your concerns and represents your interests. Please, feel free to call me with any questions or concerns.
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Contact an Experienced RSD Attorney in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Lawyer in Sacramento. If someone you know is looking for additional treatment options for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, please call me at 916-382-0693. I am available to provide friendly, free legal advice.
Everyone is invited to look at my sample results here.
Image Citation: Pixabay hosted the photograph at the start of this page. The CC0 Creative Commons License has yielded permission to show it here.
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