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CRPS Support for Hand/Arm Rehab & Daily Function

Evidence‑informed strategies to help you manage pain, reduce sensitivity and feel more confident using your hand, arm or limb in daily life.

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When CRPS makes everyday life feel unpredictable and overwhelming

CRPS affects far more than the area of pain — it impacts your nervous system, movement confidence, sensation, strength and dexterity and daily function.

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Many of my clients arrive feeling:

  • Afraid to move because pain spikes suddenly

  • Overwhelmed by and hypersensitive to touch, temperature or vibration

  • Unsure how to use their hand or limb safely

  • Exhausted from constant pain signals

  • Frustrated by how long recovery feels

  • Misunderstood by people who don’t realise how intense CRPS can be

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What CRPS feels like day‑to‑day

CRPS can show up in ways that disrupt your whole life:

  • Severe, burning or electric‑type pain

  • Hypersensitivity to touch, clothing, movement or vibration

  • Temperature changes (hot/cold sensations)

  • Swelling or colour changes

  • Stiffness or reduced movement

  • Difficulty using your hand, arm or limb for daily tasks

  • Fear of triggering pain or flare‑ups

  • Feeling overwhelmed or anxious about movement

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CRPS affects your nervous system, your confidence, your energy and your ability to function.

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Why CRPS affects daily function

CRPS creates a ripple effect through your whole system:

  • Nervous system dysregulation heightens pain signals

  • Sensory overload makes touch and movement feel threatening

  • Movement avoidance increases stiffness and fear

  • Muscle guarding increases fatigue and discomfort

  • Cognitive load rises when you’re constantly managing pain

  • Emotional stress amplifies sensitivity

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What actually helps

Gentle, graded strategies can help reduce sensitivity and rebuild confidence:

  • Sensory regulation

  • Graded motor imagery

  • Mirror therapy

  • Gentle movement

  • Pain‑friendly task modification

  • Nervous system calming

  • Flare‑day planning

  • Confidence‑building functional tasks

  • Fear‑of‑movement support

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How OT supports CRPS

I help you:

  • Reduce sensory overload

  • Rebuild movement confidence

  • Understand your pain patterns

  • Use your hand, arm or limb safely

  • Make daily tasks easier and less overwhelming

  • Navigate work, home and self‑care with more confidence

  • Feel more in control of your symptoms

Ready to feel more capable on despite CRPS?

Let’s explore what’s making life harder — and what would help.

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