Dr. Cooper at Advantage Physical Therapy, located in Falls Church, Virginia, use treats patients from throughout Northern Virginia and the Washington DC Metro Area who suffer from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
Complex regional pain syndrome, also referred to as reflex dystrophy syndrome or RSD, is a chronic pain condition in which numerous nerve impulses are sent to the affect area of the person’s body. It is believed that RSD occurs because of a problem in the central or peripheral nervous system. The syndrome commonly affects people ages 20 to 35, though the syndrome can also affect children. Typically, if affects more women than men.
Symptoms can vary in length and severity but the most common symptom is persistent pain which get worse as time goes on. If it occurred following an injury, the pain can seem disproportionate to the injury. For example, the injury pain involves the toe but the pain felt extends all the way through the leg or the pain can travel to the other extremity. Other symptoms include:
If any of these symptoms are present, contact the office to schedule a consultation with the doctor. The doctor is specially trained to diagnose and treat RSD and can help patients find relief from the symptoms.
Physical therapists play a vital role in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. Dr. Cooper treats each patient individually and prepares customized treatment plans to best address his or her unique issues and concerns. Some of the techniques that can be used include movement therapy which mobilizes the affected body part to prevent tightening in the muscles and joints, graded motor imagery to train the brain for motor strength, and mirror box therapy which involves exercising the unaffected limb while watching in a mirror, training the brain to ‘see’ the affected limb with a full range of painless motion.
At Advantage Physical Therapy, we accept most major medical insurance plans. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please contact our office and ask for James if you do not see your insurance provider listed below.