I was recently asked what advice I can give to those who take care of their loved ones with CRPS. I asked several people who are suffering from very debilitating cases of CRPS or fibromyalgia and are pursuing a mindbody healing path. This is what they suggested:
- Ask “do you WANT me to help?” and never “do you NEED me to help?”
- Do not talk about symptoms
- Make an agreement about how and when the patient will ask for help if she needs it
- Let the patient take on physically challenging tasks that she is willing to try, and not talk her out of it
- Do not pressure her to seek medical treatment; leave this decision to the patient
- Give the patient time and space to do things on her own as much as possible
- Never pressure her to rush or to do anything
- Help set up a private space in the house where the patient can have time for herself
- Encourage movement as much as possible
- Make sure that the caregiver takes care of himself as much as possible, to stay healthy and positive
Let me summarize it. Many CRPS patients often feel like they are in hospice care. They believe that their best days are behind them, and their goal is to experience minimal discomfort and receive maximum help from the caregivers. Considering how debilitating CRPS can be, it is understandable but it is very contrary to Dr. Sarno’s method. We want caregivers to support the patient’s desire to recover and to get better, to defy the pain. We want caregivers to encourage thinking that the patient’s better days are ahead and to support the emotional work that the patient must do on the path of recovery.
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