Complex regional pain syndrome occurs because of injury or
surgery. This condition is characterized by autonomic and
inflammatory features. The extremity often presents with
vasodilatation – "warm" with inflammatory to vasoconstriction, –
a “cold” characteristic, producing drastic extremity temperature
fluctuation. According to the international Association for the
Study of Pain (IASP) diagnostic criteria for CRPS, it is divided
into three types: I, II and III. The Harden/Bruehl (Budapest
Criteria) and The Veldman criteria are commonly used for
differential diagnoses of CRPS. Peripheral and central
sensitization associated with autonomic changes contribute to
abnormal central nervous system influencing the functioning of
involved extremity. The clinical presentation comprises of a
clinical triad of symptoms including autonomic, sensory, and
motor disturbances. Patients often develop Kinesophobia
resulting into a loss of joint motion, extremity function and
ultimately the central nervous system dysfunction affecting
cortical plasticity. Effective management of the syndrome is
based on detailed understanding of stage wise patho-and-
neurophysiology of the symptoms and neurophysiological
based interventions to maximize results. The management of
CRPS includes multi-interventional therapy, graded motor
imagery, mirror therapy and multidisciplinary clinical care.  A
systematic exercise training for CRPS alleviates pain and
improves physical function stimulating central nervous system
activity.  This helps improve remodeling of abnormal central
and peripheral nervous system by inducing vasoregulation.
This attained change, collectively increases adrenaline levels,
release of endogenous opioids, and the increased anti-
inflammatory cytokines which centers around functionally
focused therapies to facilitate to improve quality of life.
Webinar Objectives:
Upon completion of the webinar the participants will have:
 A thorough knowledge of CRPS pathophysiology and
understand Budapest and Veldman’s diagnostic criteria.
 An understanding on normal physiology of joint motion
and how it is affected due to the CRPS.
 An understanding of physiology of pain and its effect on

vascular, musculo-tendinous and neurophysiological
tissue reaction
 An understanding of activating central nervous system
and producing its influence in minimizing pain and
gaining desired motion and function
 An understanding of thermal biofeedback, graded motor
imagery, mirror therapy, stress loading, and exercise
physiology in restoring function in CRPS.
 An ability to plan evidence based precise therapeutic
intervention to maximize the functional outcome.
This Webinar Constitutes 2.0 CEU Credit
All content of this webinar series is accepted as Category A
credit toward recertification by The Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC)