Chronic Pain Resources and Support
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 Americans which is approximately 50 million people. According to the CDC,almost half of them say that their pain interferes with their daily life. Did you know that one of the biggest reasons people see their doctors is because of pain? Most of them have been experiencing pain for over 6 months. So many of us are dealing with chronic pain and even though that chronic pain comes from many different health concerns, managing it can be difficult. For me, my chronic pain was due to Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome). Managing chronic pain is tough so I hope you find the chronic pain resources and support groups below to be helpful. I also hope to meet you during our free Healthy Habits Challenge or in one of my Zoom Support Groups.
Information and Resources
International RSD Foundation offers a variety of information and articles pertaining to reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
RSD Syndrome Association Offers lots of information on Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy including a wonderful YouTube Channel with tons of videos from medical experts specializing in RSD. They also offer a FREE Membership and Support Groups. Our monthly Zoom Support Groups are listed with them.
American Chronic Pain Association was originally founded by Penny Cowan who dealt with chronic pain for several years and eventually went to the Cleveland Clinic to learn coping and management skills. For years those concepts were shared from her book "From Patient to Person". I am not sure her book is still available, however, you can view our videos where we share her concepts of the 10 Steps giving you a brief overview. the ACPA also offers a Resource Guide to help those understand more about Chronic Pain. There is also a listing of support groups.
US Pain Foundation is making sure people in pain feel empowered and educated, holding monthly webinars as well as a series known as Building Your Toolbox. They also focus heavily on advocacy as well as support groups. I just finished their support group leader training and will be adding a monthly Zoom meeting for themn.
International Pain Foundation was started by Barby Ingle and her husband Ken. Barby also suffers with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Her main focus is access to care and qualify care for individuals dealing with pain from many different conditions. She has a publication called Ipain Magazine and hosts a yearly pain summit.
Dr. H. Hooshmand. Neurological Associates and Pain Management Center Dr. Hooshmand passed in 2019 and his work carries on through his website and free diet book.
Fibromyalgia If you are looking for great places for information on Fibromyalgia and Fibromyalgia specific support groups.
American Academy of Pain Med focusing on a multidisciplinary approach for pain management.
Practical Pain Management offers lots of information on pain management and chronic pain from all types of causes.
Neurology Now - An Article on Living with RSD/CRPS
Chronic Pain Support Groups - RSD / CRPS
I am currently running our Chronic Pain Support Groups via Zoom. To join one of our meetings please visit our MeetUp Group to enroll. If you have any questions, please fee free to call me at (800)728-2425 or send me an email. We offer a 10:00am EST meeting on the last Tuesday of the month and a 7:00pm EST meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. In July, I will also be adding another support group meeting for individuals throughout the State of Indiana.
I also share my own story through my Healthy Habits Challenge, a guide to a healthy lifestyle. This incorporates what I did to regain my health and manage my pain and symptoms. It focues on healthy living tips to help you focus on building health and helping you to better manage your fatigue, pain, and inflammation! I also offer a more detailed Managing Pain Naturally Program which specifically focuses on foods, supplements, and gut health for chronic pain.