Tamara
My CRPS story began, like many CRPS stories, with misdiagnosis and despair over my rapidly worsening condition. Abnormal electromyography (EMG) test results led my doctor to conclude that I had carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), despite several other symptoms that were clearly inconsistent with CTS. I disagreed with doctors, and kept searching for a more accurate diagnosis, which would offer me a solution for all of my symptoms. Meanwhile, my symptoms were spreading and getting worse: neuropathic pain in hands and arms, uncontrollable muscle contraction (dystonia), Reynaud’s Syndrome, chronic fatigue, brain fog, hypersensitivity to touch and temperature.
Once I had a correct diagnosis, which was CRPS, my doctors told me that I had to learn how to live and cope with it. I found it unacceptable. I refused to settle for anything less than a full recovery and return to a normal lifestyle. By chance, I learned about Dr. John Sarno, and that changed everything. The day I finished reading his book, I knew I had a chance to get my life back.
It is a widely held opinion among CRPS doctors that chances of improvements for CRPS patients decrease with age. Due to my age (58 at the onset of disease) I objectively had poor prospects at beating CRPS, yet my story has a happy ending: full remission without invasive treatments or drugs.
My journey is not a story of a spontaneous miracle: I used mind-body approach but was open to working with any mainstream healthcare provider who would support my experimental approach – and was able to fully recover. You can read my story in more details here: Defying The Verdict.
After my symptoms finally disappeared, I ran several half-marathons, hiked to the top of Mount Whitney and continue exercising by practicing planks and pushups using the very hands and wrists that once were almost entirely incapacitated. I am a firm believer that CRPS can be defeated!
Rita
I was diagnosed with RSD/CRPS and suffered for many years with all it’s permutations, presentations, infernal symptoms, accompanying depression, despair and hopelessness.
I’m a 52 year old mom living in NJ and have 2 sons. My younger son is severely autistic and the demands and challenges of his disability have been great. For many years the stress of care taking took their toll on my emotional as well as my physical health. One could say that I was in survival mode, and fight or flight for many years.
My descent into the all expense paid, trip through the medical mill began with what appeared to be a painful swollen big toe, but rapidly progressed into something much worse: severe pain, swelling and more. Many doctor appointments and few years later, I entered the world of pain management. A world of waiting rooms and pale, shaking patients waiting for refills.
My RSD diagnosis was official and more incredibly costly and unpleasant rabbit holes…ketamine infusions, nerve blocks, Calmare therapy, bisphosphonate infusions, drugs with awful side effects. I was no longer living…just existing. The RSD then spread to both knees and at one point it went full body. I was bedridden and 93 lbs. My family had to enlist help for the house and kids. It was a catastrophic situation and I was at the lowest point of my life.
Then I remembered Dr. Sarno. Dr. John Sarno, the “Back Dr.”, I had heard in a radio interview. I ordered a copy of “Healing Back Pain” from Amazon for $3.99. The day I pulled the book out of my mailbox was the day my life changed. This required no money, but merely patience and persistence. After suffering in the depths of hell for over 6 years, I can say I am fully recovered. I can wear sneakers, sky high heels, I can walk as far as I want, exercise…live a totally normal life.
It doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are, how your condition started, the severity of your RSD, how many years you have suffered, you or your loved one can get better!!!
Kay
After several unsuccessful surgeries on her foot, Kay developed debilitating chronic pain. Diagnosed in December 2019 with CRPS, she suffered from constant neuropathic pain in the foot and leg, chronic fatigue, heart palpitation and low blood pressure. When Kay learned about mindbody approach and realized that her symptoms resulted from a long history of emotional traumas and, most recently, a series of tragic losses of her loved ones over a very short period of time, she was determined to give the mindbody approach a try.
In less than two months, Kay was symptom-free for a few hours almost every day. She continued to practice mindfulness and meditation and eventually short periods without symptoms became longer and longer. Kay loves jigsaw puzzles and she quickly noticed that when she works on her puzzles, her mind drifts away from pain and her symptoms fade! After 4 months of practicing deep breathing, meditation and puzzles, Kay is mostly free of pain, her heart rate, blood pressure and energy levels are back to normal. Whenever she experiences a flare-up, she meditates and gets better! As of March 2021, she is confident that getting her life back is within a reach, after only 4 months of mindbody work!
Colin
This is Colin’s story exactly as he told it to us:
I am a 34 year old male. I developed CRPS during a very stressful point of my life and underwent non-stop stress for a few years straight. My condition became very severe in a very short period of time. From the onset, it was only a week before the inflammation and pain was so bad that I could not even begin to make a fist. My right dominant hand had become completely unusable for any task other than resting on a pillow.
For over two months I remained on bedrest except to go to doctors appointments where I found no help. Thankfully diagnosed properly at week 9 by a neurologist I was able to start my journey towards recovery. My right hand started to get better but the condition then spread to my left hand. I began having acid reflux, panic attacks, and fatigue. I was terrified of continued disability and having to live the rest of my life with an incurable disease.
As I noticed the link between stress and my condition flaring I decided to quit my job and temporarily move in with my parents. Shortly after, I found this website and began my journey of learning about the mind-body approach to recovery. Seeing my condition through a new lens, I felt empowered to heal myself. With nothing but time, I completely devoted myself to this path of healing.
I listened and re-listened to John Sarno, Alan Gordon, and others. I religiously meditated, walked, and journaled every day. I allowed myself to grieve. I reconnected with parts of myself that I had buried away for years.
I am about 6 months into my journey with CRPS and am mostly pain-free. I have full ROM and function back. I am rebuilding strength confidently. I do pushups every day; something that felt very far away from me just a few short months ago.
For me, CRPS has been a huge wake-up call to take care of myself. To not self-sacrifice and to live life authentically.
Many thanks to Rita and Tamara for championing the mind-body path to full remission of CRPS. Who knows where I’d be now if I didn’t stumble upon this site when I did!
Chris
In 2016, after a weekend of acrobatic yoga, an old rugby shoulder injury flared up. Not new pain — I’d dislocated it years earlier, done my physio, moved on. Usually, these flare-ups went away after a few weeks of therapy. This time it didn’t.
The pain spread to my back in a strange way, it like something deep under the muscles, and it was worse when lying flat. For months I searched for answers, tried every doctor and therapy I could find in Switzerland, but nothing worked. Eventually, it eased enough… if I never lay on my back again. For the next eight years, I slept only on my side.
By 2023 my back pain had became chronic. Waking up in the night, staring at the ceiling, every position felt wrong. The diagnosis: syringomyelia. It was seen in my MRI by a fluid-filled cavity formed within the spinal cord. The neurologist said, “Nothing to do but take pregabalin.” His solution was for me to take a numbing medication for the rest of my life. Instead, I flew to Peru — six months in the jungle with shamans, doing everything I could to heal. And it worked. Slowly, my back got better. I thought I was free.
Late 2023, without the back pain I started partner acrobatic again with my wife. Easy moves at first. Then, with one jump on the beach. I heard a crack. My wrist bent too far. There was some pain. I started taping it and being careful. I had, had wrist problems in the past, last time it was almost two years before I could use my wrist and the whole time it was over sensitive to any touch or movement. Now looking back most likely it was also mind body.
A week after the incident, sitting in the back of a bumpy truck, my hand bent the wrong way again. Warmth flooding the joint. I was getting more frightened, would this develop into another multi year issue? Days later, leaning back on my hands, I heard the crack again. Less mobility. I could no longer hold a fork. Nights I had stabbing pain. By January 2024, I couldn’t move my fingers and my hand was extremely swollen.
The pain didn’t stop. Ever. Not for sleep. Not for distraction. It stabbed and burned and throbbed in ways I can’t describe. I stopped enjoying the things I loved — even sex. I stopped seeing people. I started getting angry at everyone. I was jealous of everyone else, no matter their problems. I remember seeing someone without a hand and thinking I would rather be him.
That’s when the darker thoughts began to creep in. Walking through the city, I’d catch myself imagining how quickly everything could stop — with the help of a tram, a train, or a bus. The thought came on the way to the store, on the way home — again and again, every day.
I read that stem cells might help. Expensive. I didn’t care. I thought: At least try everything before I kill myself. I flew to Mexico. The injection hurt. I came back with a bit more movement, but no strength.
Then, back in Switzerland, finally came the diagnosis: CRPS. It’s nickname shows up in top google results as “the suicide disease.” My mother’s sister had taken her life. My mother did too. I wanted a diagnosis to heal, but I finally got one for a “disease” many doctor’s think is incurable. My anxiety sky rocketed.
I tried everything: Joe Dispenza retreats (trying to meditate while feeling like my hand was being stabbed with knives), hyperbaric oxygen, cold baths and fasting, PRP injections, shockwave therapy. In June 2024, I found Tamara’s book about her recovery from CRPS. Her story inspired me, and at the same time, I kept comparing: Mine is worse — that’s why I can’t get better. I looked deeper into mind-body work from Sarno and others. I spoke to many mind-body specialists. Most just told me, “Nothing is wrong with you,” but I felt I was too far gone.
Many of the mind body therapists were incredibly caring. I remember Rita, on the East Coast of the US, taking my calls when I felt like I couldn’t go on , after months without sleep, my body burning, and stabbing pain shooting through an arm I could no longer move. Her words gave me hope in one of my darkest moments, even though her techniques ultimately weren’t the right fit for me. Roger also took the time to talk to me, and it was nice to have a doctor confirm it was mind body. He gave me some hope, but I still felt stagnant.
In July 2024 I spoke to Dr. Stracks for the first time. In August 2024, I thought I couldn’t go on anymore. It was a battle just to get through a day, crying most of time electric like shocks through my body and not able to sleep. It felt as though my entire body was breaking down and I only had weeks to live even without taking my own life. Dr. Stracks said maybe I needed more support and suggested I go to a clinic. I didn’t want to. I had my own place and a loving partner, and I was afraid I would never come out. Instead, he built a daily support program for me. I talked to him or his team every single day; Erica the psychologist, and Michelle with somatic experiencing. Sometimes I’d be pacing in circles, crying, waiting for the call. It was an oasis on the edge of a desert. I even knew what Dr. Stracks was going to say: “Nothing’s wrong with you. You’ll get better.” I didn’t fully believe it, but I kept going, and these calls gave me hope.
Working with him, I started to push through my pain, doing more. I started tiny: one wall push-up on my knuckles so I wouldn’t bend my wrist. Terrified. Sweating. Heart racing. I would be on edge for hours if I thought I’d made it worse. Then, in a call, he told me, “You can’t hurt yourself with so little weight.” The next day I did two wall push-ups. Then three. I wrote it down on post-its, and put them up on my wall. Day by day. Week by week.
Six weeks later, I was on all fours, doing push-ups from my knees. In October I found a good physical therapist with experience healing CRPS. She helped me push myself more. By December I was doing handstands against the wall. Every step forward brought fear: Did I just undo months of healing? Did I wreck it again?
Meanwhile, my body kept throwing new hell at me: eczema spreading over my legs, stomach, back; CRPS bringing heat waves and electric shocks through my whole body; memories of my back pain lurking, ready to flare.
After four weeks of daily calls with Dr. Stracks’ team, I began reducing my meetings as I improved. After five weeks, it was three times a week. After eight weeks, I spoke to him once a week, and shortly after that, only occasionally.
Now, in the summer of 2025, I can say I rarely hesitate to use my hand normally. Only occasionally do I feel what I’d rate as a 2/10 — and since I stopped using the word “pain,” I call it an uncomfortable sensation or pressure. Occasionally my body and mind act up. Just last week I had a stabbing sensation in my other shoulder and low back pressure. Knowing what it is and with a support call from Dr. Stracks, I pushed through, doing more sports, and after a week it was better. My eczema is acting up a fair amount. But I can move. I can ski. I can sleep better.
Laura
Laura’s car was hit by the truck driven by a drunk driver. She sustained severe injuries and spent many weeks in the hospital. But even after her injuries healed, her pain did not subside. For the following 4 years she went from one doctor to another until she was finally diagnosed with CRPS.
When Laura discovered Curable app and then Dr. Sarno’s book, she was at the lowest point, in constant pain and without any hope. She had no other options left for her, so she decided to try the only option she had, to take the mindbody approach, which turned her life around.
A year later, her CRPS symptoms have improved 70%, but her life quality improved 100%. She is no longer taking any medications and is steadily improving. Her symptoms occasionally remerge when she is stressed out, but she has all the tools to successfully get them under control.
She is currently working as a health educator, conducting workshops for the patients with the chronic pain conditions. You can sign up for her class here: https://selfmanagementresource.com/programs/small-group/chronic-pain-self-management-small-group/
You can see Laura telling her story here:
Alexandra
Dear Rita,
I promised myself I would write to you someday when I was better.
My name is Alexandra and I am a 37 year old mother and writer. Four years ago after suffering many years of PTSD I developed CRPS. I had such extraordinary chronic burning pain that I could no longer wear clothes from the waist down, sit down or lie down on my back. I was imprisoned in my bedroom unable to be with my family, work, drive or do most anything else. No medications or treatments worked. My doctors said the only remaining options were Ketamine infusions, narcotics or surgery. I was horrified, terrified and even contemplated suicide. Thankfully I procrastinated and in desperation scoured the internet for information on the disease. Had ANYONE ever gotten better from CRPS? Was there any hope at all?
In November of 2023 I read your incredibly inspiring article on the RSDA website. You also had endured the nightmare of CRPS but you found a way out and were living a normal life again! You were a mother with two sons and one was severely autistic. You were a caretaker worn down by the stress of having to repress your emotions and take care of your children. You had been “through the mill.” You wrote that you recovered by reading a book by Dr. John Sarno called ‘Healing Back Pain’ who theorized that the brain will protect us from powerful emotions by creating chronic pain syndromes. I was skeptical but you asked me to “Stay with you here”.
I write this with tears rolling down my cheeks. I stayed with you.
I ordered the book and I “devoured it” just like you did and yes, it changed my life. And you changed my life. Without your uplifting article, without your insight and encouragement I don’t think I would be here today. You led me to Dr. Sarno and within months of reading his book my pain was cut in half. Today I am almost fully recovered and know that all my physical symptoms were nothing more than distractions.
I am so glad that you are fully recovered from your horrendous RSD/CRPS battle! I hope that you and your family are happy and well.
I cannot thank you enough for your amazing article and for helping me unravel the maddening mystery that almost ruined me for good.
Alexandra Donati
Matt
I have developed focal hand dystonia, affecting my music-making and typing. I am now well on my recovery path (largely thanks to Sarno and you all who carry the torch).
Of course, I’ve read about the type A, anal, perfectionistic archetype. But those words are abstract, and I question if others really think and feel like me. The first half of your book helped me see that I am not alone. I sometimes wish I was like those people who have little sensitivity or care. But then again, I find the extra sensitivity can be our superpower, if we regularly keep our systems balanced.
I used to feel my constant ‘high sense of urgency’ and ‘fast pace’ were great qualities, as they pushed me to excel and be on top of my programs. I feel grateful to have been liberated from the corporate rat race and to be retraining my brain.
Marena
As I share my story I take a deep breath…wow…CRPS is truly a nightmare! But now that I am on this side of it, I also realize that I NEVER EVER would have done the self work that I did had it not been for CRPS. It woke me up, requiring me to live fully alive, with gentleness and compassion in a way I often preached, but didn’t offer myself.
I always struggled to “overcome” perfectionism and as a female pastor, certainly felt the constant pressure toward goodism as Dr. Sarno calls it. It had been my life goal to help people feel empowered and worthy but clearly, I had more work to do for myself.
One day I was fully functioning, pain-free and the next, after a life-threatening situation with my son: pain that only those with it can fathom.
Additionally, I couldn’t will my foot to move. It’s the oddest thing. I would say, “Brain, wiggle my toes and foot” and absolutely nothing happened.
I was terrified to say the least…bed ridden…wheelchair…cursing God that something so inescapably tortuous could happen to a person that would not also kill them. “Just let me die,” I prayed. Many of you know, you’ve been there.
I had that nerve block that was supposed to be the answer and it did nothing to help! I was tired of reading horror stories from those with CRPS.
And then, Christ appeared as I believe often happens, through a person who became my light: Tamara Gurin and this website Defeating CRPS. Reading her story alone was enough to get me out of bed.
Healing is possible! Not just management, not remission. FULL healing!
One day followed another. I admit that when I first read Dr. Sarno, it seemed as though one simply had to change their mindset or gain the knowledge and they would magically heal.
This was not the case for me. I fully believed in the healing, and undoubtedly my faith helped me believe in the seemingly impossible. But it was NOT easy and it certainly was NOT instant! It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life and required more faith than I could begin to fathom.
We can heal ourselves? What?!
That is NOT what the majority medical system OR even Christianity teaches.
But I believe God lives within us and empowers every one of us to wake up to what life can be when we treat ourselves with compassion and grace…not constantly pushing, forcing, striving, judging, sacrificing.
My body hadn’t felt safe in years and it was letting me know in the only way it knew how.
Now I live with so much gratitude. I WALK, I wear shoes, I ride my bike, I swim, I play with my kiddos. My foot is FULLY functional…and yes pain doctor, I even walk on sand! (How crazy the things we’re told!). I’m still working on standing for long periods but I know it’s coming. I’m just six months into this healing journey. Because of the process, which for me included reading, journaling, meditating, talking to my brain, hot showers, time in nature, Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping), lots of forgiveness work, I not only am fully healing physically but feel like the most calm, free, joyful version of myself I have ever felt. Everyone in my life notices.
If you are in this journey yourself or in the valley of the shadow of death with someone going through it, my heart extends to you. There will be days full of doubt but the truth is: it IS possible to fully heal! You absolutely can do it! Find your own path…it will not be linear, but as long as you stay on it, you WILL defeat CRPS!
Your Story Can Be Next
We learned through our experience that nothing helps CRPS patients to recover better than knowing that others traveled the same path and succeeded.
If you were able to recover from CRPS using mind-body techniques, we would like to hear from you! Contact us here , and we will be happy to publish your story!
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome : Your Path To Healing 