Treatment of CRPS Type-I with Fire and Water Acupoints: A Case Report

Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of acupuncture treatment on a patient suffering from CRPS Type 1. Methods : A 30-year-old female patient suffering from CRPS Type 1 with symptoms of intense burning pain, joint stiffness, restricted mobility, rapid hair and nail growth, allodynia, hyperalgesia and coldness of the right leg was treated with acupuncture on six acupuncture points on the leg from 13 July to 18 July of 2011. Improvement of the patient's symptoms was evaluated by Numerical Rating Scale(NRS), Digital Infrared Thermographic Image(DITI). Results : After 6 days of treatment, NRS score decreased significantly and the DITI results showed moderate improvement in temperature. Conclusions : The results suggest that acupuncture may be an effective in reducing the symptoms of CRPS. Further study is needed to evaluate the significancy of this report.