HBOT for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS/RSD): Restoring Hope Through Oxygen

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), historically called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is a chronic and often debilitating pain condition. It arises after injury, surgery, or nerve trauma, leading to persistent pain, swelling, and changes in the skin and underlying tissues. Conventional treatments frequently provide only partial relief, leaving patients searching for more effective solutions.

The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

As described in The Oxygen Revolution, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) enhances the body’s healing capabilities by delivering 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure. This process saturates the blood plasma with oxygen, allowing it to reach damaged nerves, tissues, and microcirculation that are otherwise starved of adequate supply.

In patients with CRPS, HBOT has been shown to:

Reduce inflammation and calm the overactive sympathetic nervous system
Restore oxygen delivery to oxygen-deprived tissues
Promote nerve regeneration and vascular repair
Decrease pain levels and improve mobility

Why HBOT Works for CRPS

CRPS creates a cycle of pain, inflammation, and oxygen starvation in affected tissues. HBOT breaks this cycle by flooding these areas with oxygen, jump-starting the body’s natural repair mechanisms. With repeated treatments, many patients experience a reduction in pain, improved function, and a return to activities once thought lost.