Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Advanced Exercise Programme
Aim to perform this programme a minimum of once per day unless prescribed otherwise. As with any new exercise, start slowly (repetitions as able) and build up as you are able within the guidelines below.
Pain should not exceed 2/10 whilst completing this exercise programme.
1. Bodyweight squat
- Stand with your feet hip width apart and your arms across your chest.
- Sit back as if you are sitting into a chair.
- At the same time your head should move forwards to keep your balance.
- As you do this aim to keep your back straight.
- Go down as far as you feel comfortable or until your thighs are parallel with the floor.
- Come back up to standing and repeat.
2. Diagonal woodchop
- Standing tall with your feet shoulder width apart and holding a small weight (household object if you do not have a weight).
- Bend forwards and bend the knees slightly so the object is just outside of the left knee.
- From this position move the object diagonally upwards so that it ends up slightly away from the body and level with your right ear.
- Do all of the repetitions in this way and then repeat in the opposite direction I.e right knee to left shoulder.
- Start slowly and if you feel confident you can gradually increase the speed and also the weight of the object although not both at the same time.
3. Brisk walking
- Start by taking short walks everyday just to get out in the fresh air and into nature if you can.
- Walk at a speed that raises your heart rate but leaves you able to have a conversation.
- Walking with a friend or partner is great.
We recommend consulting a musculoskeletal physiotherapist to ensure exercises are best suited to your recovery. If you are carrying out an exercise regime without consulting a healthcare professional, you do so at your own risk. If you have any concerns whilst completing these exercises, please contact a healthcare professional.
More Plans
During the early phase of complex regional pain syndrome, the main aim is gentle movement and therapy focussing on the opposite side of the body to the affected limb – this is called contralateral therapy. Contralateral therapy is usually undertaken with your physiotherapist who will devise a programme for the unaffected limb. It is believed that working on the unaffected limb, will stimulate muscles and pain signalling in the affected limb thereby improving the movement and reducing pain. This should not exceed any more than 3/10 on your perceived pain scale.
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