Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy & Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

I have so many wonderful clients and continuously learn about the many difficulties that some people suffer in leading their day to day lives.  About 6 months ago I received an email from a lady asking if I would see her friend who suffers from RDS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) to see if remedial massage might help her condition. To be honest, I'd never heard of RDS so I quickly looked it up and read that massage might be very helpful in bringing relief - providing you stay well away from the regional pain area.

Cat came along to my clinic, walking in on her crutches, a big smile on her face and armed with a 4 page print out about her condition.  RSD is a chronic pain condition that has been triggered by an initial injury. Apparently it affects the nervous system as well as bones, skin, blood vessels and muscles. I understand that Cat is in constant pain and cannot bear to have anything touching her lower left leg.  Overall her muscles are very weak and she often falls over.  She is also prone to burning herself as her nerves switch on and off.  In addition she is hyper-mobile and her shoulders are prone to dislocation.

Cat now comes to see me most weeks.  We have an hour's session, when we listen to lively music and have a bit of a sing song.  Together Cat and I have achieved excellent results. Although she has the occasional subluxation she hasn't suffered a full dislocation for months.  There is little I can do regarding Cat's nervous system but with the release of muscle tension, her body is more balanced resulting in less muscular strain and in turn less overall pain.  The massage also helps stimulate the blood flow blood flow and over all the treatment helps Cat deal better with her condition. She tells me that if she has to miss a week she can really feel the difference.  This is a huge complement and I derive so much pleasure from knowing that I am one of the wheels in the cog helping to make her life easier. 

Cat is quite an outspoken young lady and she has no qualms about telling her doctors about my treatment.  in turn her GP, specialist and physiotherapist are more than happy that this complementary therapy is supporting their treatments and helping Cat better deal with her day to day life.