Assessment for treatment:

Establish where the affected area is, and the boundaries of that area (you can map this out on a picture)

Show the patient how to desensitise:

• Advise patient that it is important to perfom desensitisation in a quiet relaxed environment with few distractions
• Encourage patients to practice first on a body part not affected by CRPS
• They should employ a variety of materials that can be tolerated
  • Smooth – felt, satin, silk, velvet, make-up or soft paint brushes
  • Rough – towelling, netting, scourers, flannel, wool, hook velcro
• They should tap or stroke these materials lightly or firmly, whilst working from the border of the hypersensitive area nudging into it.
• It is usual for these activities to be uncomfortable however if intolerable pain is experienced, stop and find a more tolerable material
• Advise them to practice 5-10 minutes once or twice a day
• Advise them to perform all movements very slowly
• Advise them to look at the area whilst performing desensitisation
• At a later appointment recheck how they perform desensitisation & correct if needed

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