[PART 1] Understanding CRPS: The Truth About it’s Neurobiology and Effective Treatments

In this video, we're taking a deep dive into the neurobiology of CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome).
My aim is to essentially prove that this condition is real and help you understand the true nature of the condition so you can better understand how to treat it.
Watch Part 2 here: • [PART 2] Understanding...
Want help from someone who actually understands this condition? Set up a FREE one-on-one call here: www.alissawolfe.com/book-call
References:
- Bharwani et al, 2021, 'Denying the Truth Does Not Change the Facts: A Systematic Analysis of Pseudoscientific Denial of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome'
- Sobeeh et al, 2023, 'Pain mechanisms in complex regional pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative sensory testing outcomes'
- Rijn et al, 2011, 'Spreading of complex regional pain syndrome: not a random process'
- Brink et al, 2021, 'Predictors of Self-Reported Neglect-like Symptoms and Involuntary Movements in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Compared to Other Chronic Limb Pain Conditions'
- Scheuren et al, 2023, 'Pain‐autonomic measures reveal nociceptive sensitization in complex regional pain syndrome'
- Reimer et al, 2016, 'Sensitization of the Nociceptive System in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome'
- Huge et al, 2008, 'Interaction of Hyperalgesia and Sensory Loss in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I (CRPS I)'
- Kuttikat et al, 2016, 'Neurocognitive and Neuroplastic Mechanisms of Novel Clinical Signs in CRPS'
- Lewis et al, 2010, 'Wherever is my arm? Impaired upper limb position accuracy in complex regional pain syndrome'
- Kuttikat et al, 2018, 'Altered Neurocognitive Processing of Tactile Stimuli in Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome'
- Schwoebel et al, 2001, 'Pain and the body schema: evidence for peripheral effects on mental representations of movement'
- Brun et al, 2018, 'Exploring the Relationships Between Altered Body Perception, Limb Position Sense, and Limb Movement Sense in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome'
- Echalier et al, 2020, "Spontaneous sensations reveal distorted body perception in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)'
- Peltz et al, 2011, 'Impaired hand size estimation in CRPS'
- Moseley et al, 2009, 'Space-based, but not arm-based, shift in tactile processing in complex regional pain syndrome and its relationship to cooling of the affected limb'
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ABOUT ME:
I'm Alissa Wolfe.
I'm a chronic pain specialist and the founder of the Chronic Pain Breakup Method. I help people who are fed up and frustrated with chronic pain retrain their nervous system so they can beat chronic pain and get their life back.
In other words, if you have chronic pain and are looking for a new and improved way to manage your pain with an approach based on neuroscience, I'm your girl.
I got out of the clinic and started my online chronic pain coaching business so I could provide that nervous system retraining piece that is missing from pain management in the health care system.
Empowering people with chronic pain is my calling. I wasn't okay knowing that my patient's with chronic pain had no one to turn to, no one who would help, and no one who would believe them.
I decided I would be that person, even if in the beginning I didn't know everything I needed to know to help them. I pushed myself to learn and I discovered that we were trying to treat the "tissue issue" when people with chronic pain have a nervous system "pain problem".
Changes in the nervous system were contributing to pain and yet no one was addressing those changes.
By adding this element of neuroscience and nervous system retraining to my treatment approach, clients and patients are getting better than ever.
If you like what you see so far, subscribe to my channel so you don't miss any of the neuroscience nuggets I'll be throwing your way.

[@Dog.MOm_]

💔 😪 was working struggling 💔 so much finally after so many years of this I was diagnosed with CRPS it's the worst painful thing to deal with u don't know how you will wake up the next day and how it effects ur daily life

[@sharneoflaherty6986]

Thank you so much for this. 4 years in this hell and you finally made it make sense. Thank you

[@paincrusaderofficial]

you are sooo welcome my friend!

[@tonyfluxman7596]

This is really good

[@Robyn-mf3go]

I have had this for over 20 years and I’m now permanently disabled this has been the most frustrating and painful thing.

[@celesteonorati389]

YOU NAILED THIS!!!

[@jamiemcneill2816]

Great information, and so helpful. Thank you!!!!!!

[@paincrusaderofficial]

You are so welcome!

[@demonia05]

Hello, thank you for all your information, what you just told it’s so true, cause after my rotator cuff surgery was done In January, they had diagnosed me CRPS and not one understands my pain

[@munosh]

Hi Alissa Very informative video thank you! I broke my left wrist 3 years ago falling from my bike and after 5 weeks of cast, I was in so much pain and had all the typical symptoms, i.e. swelling, bluish skin, peeling skin and abnormal pain considering that my bone fracture had healed. That's when I was diagnosed with CRPS and had to go through 3-months physiotherapy. I have to see that it took a whole year for my hand to regain complete mobility. Unfortunately for me, I got mugged on vacation in Barcelona. My attacker pushed me to the ground to steal my watch and I broke my right wrist. My arm was put in a cast for 6 weeks. Needless to say that I was dreading being afflicted with CRPS again as doctors told me it could happen to me again. Well the last week before my cast was removed I knew that it came back in my right hand as I had all the telltale signs again. Sure enough, I removed the cast yesterday and CRPS is back with a vengeance in my right hand. As I am right handed, it is very important that I recover full mobility quickly and any advice that you can provide would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much! Nicole

[@gaildowns6545]

I’m having trouble trying to schedule an appointment. The format won’t let me complete the information. Please advise.

[@bc4yt]

Super interesting. Could a large, "non-obstructing" kidney stone cause CPRS?

[@yvonnekneeshaw2784]

I’m 67 yrs old. Fractured my ankle summer 2023. Developed cellulitis about 1 1/2 weeks later. Had to change my immobilization from air cast to soft brace in order to treat cellulitis & watch it. Had swelling and used compression socks to minimize the swelling which worked. After months noticed my pain continued even fracture supposedly healed & swelling gone. Been diagnosed 8 months later with CRPS. Have many symptoms (swelling mostly not issue now). Stabbing, numbness, color change, calf muscle constriction, etc. also travelled to opposite good leg & up injured ankle to knee. Do u Alissa take calls from Canada? Will listen to podcast 2 & 3 as well. Thank u & hope u r able to reply 🇨🇦 ❤

[@paincrusaderofficial]

I do take calls from Canada. I'd love to chat!!! ==> www.alissawolfe.com/book-call

[@jasminejoseph9835]

Wow. I was made believe this was not real or that I was making up all my pain. My pain is not being managed because doctors don’t believe me. I’m going crazy with all this pain, swelling, tremors and no mobility on my right arm

[@bettya9916]

I woke from my 3rd spinal surgery in 18 months whn I was 29yo in 1979 with a bright red, swollen, burning, massively overly sensitive, foot. Clearly a nerve was damaged during surgery. Surgery by the head of neurosurgery at Brigham and Womens hospital in Boston, good surgeon, and he diagnosed me day one. No internet. Just told me I would never walk again. I was on crutches for 25 years, went into a sort of remission for a while and now at 69 I'm trying to figure out how to afford to become wheelchair bound. Most don't know its thousands and thousands of dollars in the US. Medicare pays for a huge wc only. They dont care if you never leave?the house again. If we could get insurance to listen, not dangerously cut people off of pain meds and confine them to bed till they die. Because of insurance companies, this is easily a fatal disease - beyond the spread to vital organs. Thank you for this. I don't take pain meds but my life is tiny.

[@hafizhadi8185]

If you have crps,does it automatically mean that you have overactive sympathetic nervous system? What is the relation..how about parasympathetic nervous system.?

[@paincrusaderofficial]

Sympathetic nervous system coordinates fight or flight functions and parasympathetic coordinates rest and digest functions. They’re like the gas and the breaks. Often, with pain, because of these nervous system changes, the nervous system ramps up it’s defense mechanisms and activates it’s survival response (fight or flight). So sympathetic NS is typically overactive.

[@Truerealism747]

Have you done any work with people with Asperger's add etc I now no I had SPD as a child and I had a fall decades ago trigger ed pelvic pain now fybromyalgia then now find out I have Asperger's add hypomobility after my son's diagnosis I've read Asperger's brain is less plastic

[@paincrusaderofficial]

As you mentioned, there is a link between ADHD and chronic pain, as well as a link between Autism and chronic pain. So yes, because of that, many of my clients have been diagnosed/suspect ADHD, and/or are on the spectrum.

[@Truerealism747]

@@paincrusaderofficial sure my father has ADHD he had CFS my mum surely as Asperger's and has severe ms.ocd linked with this to and I may have eds they sent sure

[@paincrusaderofficial]

@@Truerealism747 and for so many it can be very challenging to get that official diagnosis :/

[@munosh]

By the way, this is my husbands youtube account and therefore it's his pic Lol!!

[@demarcusds95]

0:19 they ignore and people suffer because of it

[@turkeyjerky162]

Thank you so much for the link to this series

[@turkeyjerky162]

Your discription about the nerve pathways are accurate. However I never disassociated from it. I did and still do think it may be better amputated. I do have hashimotos which is an autoimmune desease that attacks the central nervous system. The surgeon found a massive amount of scar tissue on the ulnar nerve during a relocation. That actually fused the nerve to the bone. He cut the nerve from the bone and scraped the scar tisshe from the nerve. I did not keep it immobile. I was extremely worried about losing function. All that to say maybe immobilized limbs may be more likely to aquire it however it doesn't have to be immobilized. That is important because the cause theory may need to be reevaluated. Mine has spread the the opposite limb down to both legs and my neck. If i sound aggressive i appologize. I am a very happy person and have respect for you. However this pain makes it hard to communicate effectively.