AHPRA-registered Chinese Medicine Doctor & Acupuncturist · Belmont · Geraldton WA
Belmont: Mon–Sat 9:00–17:00 · Geraldton: Mon–Fri 9:00–17:00 · Appointment Required

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) — Classical Chinese Medicine Support for Neurogenic Pain

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Nature’s Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic

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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) — Classical Chinese Medicine Support for Neurogenic Pain

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), formerly called reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is a chronic pain condition typically affecting a limb after injury, with pain disproportionate to the inciting event, combined sensory, motor, autonomic, and trophic changes. It requires specialist pain management. At Nature’s Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic in Belmont Perth, Dr. Yang provides supportive treatment alongside pain specialist care.

27 yrs
AHPRA-registered practice since 1999
2 clinics
Belmont Perth + Geraldton WA
HICAPS
On-the-spot health-fund rebates

Common Symptom Pattern

  • ✓ Recent-onset CRPS within 6 months (Pattern 1)
  • ✓ Established chronic CRPS (Pattern 2)
  • ✓ Prominent autonomic features (Pattern 3)
  • ✓ Persistent constitutional pattern requiring assessment
  • ✓ Persistent constitutional pattern requiring assessment
  • ✓ Persistent constitutional pattern requiring assessment
  • ✓ Persistent constitutional pattern requiring assessment
  • ✓ Persistent constitutional pattern requiring assessment
  • ✓ Persistent constitutional pattern requiring assessment
  • ✓ Persistent constitutional pattern requiring assessment

Four Patterns We Recognize

Pattern 1 — Early CRPS
Within first 6 months. Classical work with acupuncture for pain and autonomic regulation alongside multidisciplinary care. Early intervention important.
Pattern 2 — Chronic CRPS
Established. Classical work addresses central sensitisation and autonomic patterns alongside specialist pain management. Realistic expectations.
Pattern 3 — Autonomic-Dominant
Prominent autonomic features. Classical autonomic regulation particularly relevant. —
Pattern 4 — Maintenance & Long-term Support
For stable patients: maintenance support to preserve gains, reduce flare burden, and sustain quality of life across years of management.
– Any suspicion of CRPS — urgent pain specialist referral – Progressive symptoms — urgent review – Mental health decline — urgent support —

Three-Phase Treatment Timeline

Phase 1 — Stabilize (Weeks 1–6)
Sleep quality, autonomic regulation, initial symptom reduction. Continue all prescribed medications and specialist follow-up.
Phase 2 — Rebuild (Months 2–4)
Constitutional rebuild, pattern-specific treatment, integration with conventional medical management.
Phase 3 — Maintain (Month 4+)
Spaced maintenance treatments, lifestyle anchoring, ongoing specialist monitoring continues unchanged.

AHPRA-Registered, HICAPS-Ready

Nature’s Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic operates from Belmont (Perth) and Geraldton (Mid West WA). Dr. Yang is AHPRA-registered (CMR0001813274) with HICAPS on-the-spot health-fund rebates. We work alongside your GP and specialists — never as a replacement for medical care.

Supporting Research

Acupuncture for Chronic Symptom Burden
Clinical reviews support acupuncture for symptom modulation and quality-of-life improvement in chronic conditions when delivered by registered practitioners.
TGA-Compliant Herbal Formulas
Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration-listed herbal formulas provide a regulated framework for supportive treatment alongside conventional medical care.
Integrative Care Principles
Combining specialist medical management with adjunctive complementary care addresses both the disease process and quality-of-life burden.
Pattern-Based Treatment
Pattern recognition allows the constitutional treatment plan to match the individual presentation, rather than condition name alone.

Helpful Habits

  • ✓ Maintain consistent sleep and wake times
  • ✓ Eat warm cooked meals — avoid cold raw foods
  • ✓ Stay hydrated with warm or room-temperature water
  • ✓ Gentle daily movement appropriate to capacity
  • ✓ Stress regulation — breathwork, light walking
  • ✓ Continue all prescribed medications and specialist follow-up

Best Avoided

  • ✗ Iced drinks and frozen foods
  • ✗ Late-night eating disrupting sleep
  • ✗ Over-exercising during flare phases
  • ✗ Self-medication with unverified herbal products
  • ✗ Skipping specialist follow-up appointments
  • ✗ Untested supplement combinations

Frequently Asked Questions

Can classical treatment help CRPS?

Some evidence for acupuncture in CRPS as part of multidisciplinary approach. Classical work is supportive, not primary.

How long until improvement?

Variable. Early CRPS may respond within weeks to months; chronic CRPS longer with modest expectations.

Is acupuncture safe?

Yes, performed by trained practitioner. Light technique in affected limb initially.

When should I see a pain specialist?

Early — all suspected CRPS should have pain specialist involvement for best outcomes. —

Are your clinics covered by health funds?

Yes — HICAPS-equipped at both Belmont (Perth) and Geraldton (Mid West WA) clinics for on-the-spot rebates with most major Australian health funds.

Are your clinics covered by health funds?

Yes — HICAPS-equipped at both Belmont (Perth) and Geraldton (Mid West WA) clinics for on-the-spot rebates with most major Australian health funds.

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