Positive Options for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD): Self-Help and Treatment

by Elena Juris

Imagine that the mere breeze of an air conditioner could send you into excruciating pain. For those who suffer from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) this form of crippling nerve pain is a chronic reality. With symptoms including swelling, stiffness, skin discoloration, and chronic burning pain, RSD is an underdiagnosed and undertreated syndrome that often leaves its victims bedridden.

This book provides self-help techniques, focusing on complementary therapies and holistic strategies that can be crucial in maximizing the potential for healing from RSD. Interviews with chronic pain specialist Nelson Hendler, M.D. and occupational therapist and neurological acupuncturist Sheri Barnes offer medical insights into mind-body dynamics, holistic neurological healing and RSD pain reduction through acupuncture and changing one's reactions to pain. Readers will gather hope from patient testimonies and learn techniques to transform the pain and discomfort of RSD.

A separate chapter for family and friends describes what they can do to help. Resources list adaptive home and office equipment and how to participate in support groups, find doctors and therapists, and find out about experimental treatments for RSD.

RSD is a newly recognized disease and few trade books about it exist. It is also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2004

About the author

Elena Juris is the author of Positive Options for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (Hunter House, 2004) and Positive Options for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Hunter House/Turner Publishing, Sep 2014). She has developed patient and professional health education programs and materials for organizations, government agencies, and companies such as the American Cancer Society, American Association of Poison Control Centers, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Pfizer. Her creative non-fiction and articles have appeared in Practical Pain Management, Baltimore Magazine, Tales Magazine, KineticTravel, The New Colonist, The Baltimore Chronicle, ShesGotBaby.com, Dacha.com, and more. She resides in Washington, DC and serves as the Acting Director of the National Institutes of Health Training Center.