Combined traditional Chinese medicine approaches were associated with substantial pain relief, restored mobility, and resolution of foot swelling and discoloration in complex regional pain syndrome.
A woman with complex regional pain syndrome affecting her left lower limb, who required a wheelchair because of severe pain, received a combined traditional Chinese medicine programme. Treatment included acupuncture, heat therapy using burning mugwort, injection-based herbal treatment, and an oral herbal decoction over multiple sessions. Clinicians assessed pain, foot and ankle function, swelling, skin discoloration, and general mobility before and after treatment, with a later telephone follow-up.
Following treatment, pain and foot-and-ankle function improved markedly, while swelling and discoloration gradually resolved. The patient also regained mobility and reported further improvement at follow-up, suggesting that a combined traditional Chinese medicine approach may help address both pain and functional impairment in this condition.
