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Coaching for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
This is a separate page only for those who have been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
CRPS, a rare disease that was formerly called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is an amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome.
As a chronic systemic disease CRPS is characterized by severe pain, changes in the skin, swelling, sweating, and fatigue. CRPS usually worsens over time if not correctly diagnosed and treated early. Often it will first affect an injured arm or a leg but frequently it spreads throughout the body.
CRPS is a multifaceted disorder with clinical features of neurogenic inflammation (swelling in the central nervous system), nociceptive sensitization (called allodynia), vasomotor dysfunction resulting in blood flow problems, and maladaptive neuroplasticity as the brain changes and adapts itself to constant and severe pain signals. The disorder is associated with dysregulation of both the central and autonomic nervous systems resulting in loss of function, impairment, and disability.
CRPS has the unfortunate distinction of being described as the most painful long term condition that exists, even more painful than amputation, terminal cancer, and childbirth. Evidence shows that CRPS has both physical and psychological factors. While CRPS is not caused by psychological factors, the constant pain and reduced quality of life has been recognized as causing psychological problems. Great understanding and constant support are needed, as for some the reduced quality of life can result in depression, heightened anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.
My personal journey with CRPS began in 2001 with a severe car crash. I was properly diagnosed within the first year of the auto accident. After about 10 years of working with my own CRPS and vastly diverse medical team, I began to informally counsel others who were also medically diagnosed with the disease. Doing the many treatments, experiencing the restrictions, severe symptoms and disabling aspects of the disease, plus undergoing all of the surgeries, drug interventions, physical therapies, alternative therapies, lifestyle changes and extreme emotional and financial stressors resulting from this mysterious syndrome is not something one can do alone. I became legally certified to coach others with CRPS in 2013.
Through my therapeutic Pilates teaching and Nutritional Balancing consulting I began to develop a niche for offering informal input and a listening ear to others bewildered, struggling with and striving to overcome their CRPS dysfunction. Nothing short of transformation is required to surmount the painful and bewildering aspects of this most stressful diagnosis.
Based on the feedback of my Nutritional Balancing and Pilates clients, I offer 50-minute health coaching appointments by telephone or via Skype for CRPS patients. I will talk only with those who are already diagnosed and currently working with a primary health care professional. I am available to anyone with CRPS. I do not diagnose or prescribe. Talking with me is an experience we would evaluate after the first 1-3 sessions to see if it would be beneficial to continue.
So far, the demand for this service is high. If I receive more applications than I can handle you will be placed on a waiting list and notified of availability based on the order in which you applied. If you would like to know more about me, please refer to the About Me page.
If you would like to request an appointment for CRPS Coaching, please use the Contact Form on this website.