Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a chronic pain disorder associated with sensitivity to light touch,swelling, skin color and temperature changes, weakness, abnormal sweating, muscle atrophy, and subsequent depression.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has proven itself to be a very viable option to treat this disorder. Numerous articles in the medical literature have shown the reduction in pain and swelling with return of function using hyperbaric oxygen. Best of all, this is accomplished without the need for painful injections, narcotics, or surgical implants for pain management. Most people find that following the first few treatments they are able to achieve a full nights sleep for the first time in years. They then notice the decreased need for narcotics, improved thinking, with a diminished depression.The swelling of the effected arm or leg diminishes and they are able to start physical therapy with marked improvement in muscle strength. Many people have then been able to return to a happier and more productive life, frequently returning to their prior occupation.
Unfortunately, most peole who suffer from RSD/CRPS, only receive pain management .This means being prescribed various narcotics, and antidepressants. Then they start on a long and frequent schedule of stelate ganglion /sympathetic blocks.With exception of a few fortunate people who respond to these injection,this expensive therapy is repeated weekly or monthly for the rest of the patient's life .When there is failure to respond to these blocks, the patient is referred for morphine pump implants or spinal stimulators which cost $20,000 to implant and requires ongoing physician managment on a monthly basis to make the proper adjustments.The pain management specialists usually pontificate the success that is acheived with these treatments.Yet, if they are so successful, then why do patients need 50 -200 stelate ganglion blocks,and why do most spinal stimulators and morphine pumps fail to control the pain.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which is an FDA approved therapy, is a painless treatment utilizing 100% oxygen administered under increased pressure. It is a very safe and cost effective means of treating the chronic debilitating pain of RSD and CRPS.
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