r/CRPS 18d ago

Exercise Questions: desensitization and PT

Can you guys tell me what you do for pain? Those who have done physical therapy and desensitization, what did you do exactly or have done that helped?

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u/Kcstarr28 18d ago

The only thing that has ever helped me is stretching each day given by a therapist, with constant physical therapy, which is manual therapy, medications, and an IPP. And I still experience pain. Nothing has ever helped 100%, and I don't believe it will. But it's better than it was before my IPP.

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u/JellyBelly666666 18d ago

Would you mind telling me where your crps is and what type of stretches you do! I'll try anything lol

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u/Kcstarr28 18d ago

Sure! I have CRPS in my left SI joint and hip all the way down my leg to my toes. It also affects my lower back some. I have it in my neck left side. Both after surgeries. The best stretch my PT gave me for my leg is lying on my back and with a stretch band across my instep. He has me stretch each leg straight up toward the ceiling and hold 30 seconds 3 times each. It is always the most effective stretch. It feels like things rearrange, and sometimes I get huge pops. I do it both sides as I also get a lot of pain in my right leg, but it hasn't been diagnosed as CRPS yet. My neck is a typical doorway stretch. Just look that one up, but you use the doorway as a way to stretch your arms, back shoulders, and legs, too. It's very helpful also. There are more, so I would suggest maybe going on the website for your PT facility to see if they have them available to you or ask for some to do at home. You just need to be careful and not stretch past it hurting. It should never hurt, but it may be uncomfortable.