CRPS in Athletes: Why Young Adults Struggle & How Calmare Therapy Can Help

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic, debilitating condition that affects the sympathetic nervous system and causes severe pain, swelling, and changes in skin texture or color. It often begins after a sports injury, fracture, or surgery.

Why Are Young Athletes at Higher Risk?

Young athletes experience higher trauma frequency, especially sprains, fractures, and repetitive stress injuries. These injuries can trigger abnormal nerve responses, leading to CRPS. The following factors increase vulnerability:

  • Injury-prone sports like soccer, gymnastics, or basketball
  • Accelerated healing demand post-injury
  • High-performance pressure leading to delayed or ignored symptoms

Types of CRPS

There are two main types of CRPS:

CRPS Types Table
Type Cause Nerve Injury Present?
Type I (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) Follows soft tissue injuries or immobilization ❌ No direct nerve damage
Type II (Causalgia) Direct trauma to a nerve ✅ Yes, identified nerve damage

Why Is CRPS Often Misdiagnosed in Young Athletes?

Symptoms like persistent pain, burning, or hypersensitivity can resemble common recovery signs. Many providers misattribute the pain to incomplete healing or psychological causes, delaying proper treatment.

Next, we'll introduce a non-invasive solution gaining attention: Calmare Therapy.

Understanding Calmare Therapy: A Non-Invasive Solution

Calmare Therapy—also known as Scrambler Therapy—is a FDA-cleared device-based treatment that uses low-level electrical stimulation to alter pain signaling in the nervous system.

What Makes Calmare Unique?

Unlike standard therapies, Calmare:

  • Uses neuromodulation, not medication
  • Sends non-pain signals via skin electrodes
  • Retrains the brain to interpret the area as non-painful

It doesn’t block pain; it replaces it with non-painful information, overriding faulty pain loops.

Calmare vs Traditional Therapies Table
Feature Calmare Therapy Traditional Therapies
Invasiveness Non-invasive Often invasive (e.g., injections)
Medication Required No Yes (e.g., opioids, nerve blocks)
Side Effects Minimal Often significant
Long-Term Dependency Risk None High

Calmare was developed in Italy and is now used worldwide to treat various neuropathic conditions. In the next section, we’ll explore why it’s especially beneficial for young athletes with CRPS.

Why Calmare Therapy Is Ideal for Treating CRPS in Young Athletes?

Young athletes need fast, safe, and sustainable recovery. Calmare offers all three. Here’s how:

1. Drug-Free Treatment Option

Athletes and their families want to avoid opioid risks. Calmare doesn’t rely on painkillers, making it a safe alternative for youth.

2. Non-Invasive and Repeatable

Unlike surgeries or injections, Calmare involves no needles or cutting. Sessions are gentle and can be repeated as needed.

3. Supports Athletic Rehabilitation

Pain reduction enables active rehab. With CRPS symptoms suppressed, athletes can resume:

  • Strength training
  • Mobility exercises
  • Sport-specific conditioning

4. Protects Future Performance

Early, effective pain relief helps prevent long-term nerve damage and career interruptions.

Next, we’ll break down how Calmare Therapy works inside the body.

How Calmare Therapy Works for CRPS

Calmare uses electrocutaneous stimulation to send synthetic "non-pain" signals to the dorsal root ganglion—a cluster of nerve cells that process pain.

The Science Behind the Signal

  • The device delivers varied, non-linear electrical pulses
  • Electrodes placed near the pain site transmit signals
  • The brain is tricked into reinterpreting pain as neutral
  • Over time, this leads to nerve desensitization and symptom relief

What Does the Patient Feel?

Most patients report tingling, warmth, or light tapping during treatment. Sessions last about 45 minutes and are typically done 5 to 10 times over 2 weeks.

The following section compares Calmare to other CRPS treatment options.

Calmare Therapy vs Traditional CRPS Treatments

Conventional CRPS treatments include:

  • Opioids
  • Nerve blocks
  • Spinal cord stimulation
  • Physical therapy
  • Surgical interventions
CRPS Treatment Comparison Table
Treatment Type Risks/Limitations Effectiveness
Opioids Addiction, tolerance, side effects Moderate, temporary
Nerve Blocks Invasive, short-term Variable
Physical Therapy Painful with active CRPS Helpful with pain relief
Spinal Cord Stimulator Surgical risk, infection Mixed results
Calmare Therapy No drugs, no downtime Effective in many cases

Calmare offers a low-risk, repeatable option without altering athletic eligibility or risking dependency.

Next, we’ll cover success rates and real-world outcomes of Calmare Therapy in CRPS cases.

Success Rates of Calmare Therapy for CRPS

Multiple studies report promising results from Calmare Therapy. Notably:

What Patients Report

  • Fast relief during first few sessions
  • Improved sleep and mood
  • Reduced reliance on pain medications

In the next section, we’ll explain what happens during a Calmare session.

What to Expect During Calmare Therapy Sessions?

A typical Calmare session follows a structured, painless routine:

  1. Clinical Intake – Patient history, pain mapping
  2. Electrode Placement – Electrodes placed near pain source
  3. Signal Calibration – Intensity adjusted to comfort
  4. Treatment Session – 30–45 minutes of mild tingling sensations
  5. Post-Session Observation – Quick check-in, minimal downtime

Number of Sessions Needed

Most CRPS patients undergo 10–12 sessions over two weeks. Booster sessions may be required for flare-ups.

We now look at how Calmare Therapy also treats other nerve pain conditions.

Calmare Therapy for Other Neuropathic Conditions

Besides CRPS, Calmare Therapy treats various nerve-based pain conditions, including:

  • Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy (CIN)
  • Phantom Limb Pain
  • Sciatica and Back Pain
  • Post-Surgical Nerve Pain
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia

This broad efficacy reflects Calmare’s ability to modulate pain perception at the neural level, not just mask symptoms.

Next, we evaluate whether Calmare Therapy is safe for teens and young adults.

Is Calmare Therapy Safe for Teens and Young Adults?

Yes, Calmare Therapy has shown a high safety profile in pediatric and adolescent cases. It is:

  • FDA-cleared for pain relief
  • Non-toxic and drug-free
  • Used successfully in patients as young as 11
  • Backed by youth case studies reporting positive outcomes

Common side effects are rare and include mild skin irritation or temporary tingling. No systemic side effects are reported.

Next, read about real stories of athletes who beat CRPS using Calmare Therapy.

Real Stories: Young Athletes Who Overcame CRPS With Calmare Therapy

Jordan, 17 – Soccer Player

After a cleat injury led to CRPS in his ankle, Jordan was benched for 8 months. Calmare helped reduce his pain from 9/10 to 2/10 after 7 sessions. He returned to full training within 4 weeks.

Maya, 15 – Gymnast

Diagnosed with CRPS post-wrist fracture, Maya couldn’t grip equipment. After Calmare Therapy, she reported improved motion and 90% pain reduction, continuing her path to collegiate gymnastics.

These stories show that recovery is possible—with the right therapy and support.

Next, we explain where to access Calmare Therapy for CRPS.

Where Can You Access Calmare Therapy for CRPS?

Dr. Markson, Dr. Tennant, and Dr. Drucker

You can receive Calmare Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) at South Florida Scrambler Therapy, a trusted clinic led by experienced chronic pain specialists—Dr. Markson, Dr. Tennant, and Dr. Drucker. These doctors have extensive expertise in CRPS management and have helped hundreds of patients significantly reduce pain without medications or invasive procedures.

Why Do Patients Choose South Florida Scrambler Therapy?

Patients with CRPS consistently choose this clinic because of:

  • 80%–90% reported pain reduction after full treatment cycles
  • Board-professionals CRPS specialists with years of hands-on experience
  • FDA-cleared Calmare® Therapy, a drug-free and non-invasive solution
  • Individualized care plans tailored to the patient’s specific pain profile

What Can You Expect as a New CRPS Patient?

Every new patient receives a no-cost evaluation to determine if Calmare Therapy is the right fit. The process includes:

Free consultation and evaluation with a CRPS specialist
Custom treatment protocol based on your pain history and response
Support throughout the therapy cycle from start to finish

How to Book Calmare Therapy for CRPS?

To take the first step toward relief:

  • 📞 Call us directly at 954-476-6661 to speak with a care coordinator
  • 👉 Schedule your free consultation today through our website using desktop or phone.

Next, we’ll answer common questions about Calmare Therapy for CRPS.

FAQs About Calmare Therapy for CRPS

How many Calmare sessions are needed for CRPS?

10–12 sessions over two weeks are standard. Some patients benefit from occasional booster sessions.

Is Calmare Therapy covered by insurance?

Some insurance plans offer partial coverage. Pre-authorization is recommended.

Does Calmare Therapy hurt?

No. Patients usually feel a mild tingling or tapping sensation.

Is Calmare safe for teens and children?

Yes. It’s drug-free and has been used in youth CRPS cases with strong outcomes.

What makes Calmare different from TENS units?

TENS blocks pain temporarily. Calmare reprograms nerve signaling, offering longer-lasting relief.

Where can I find a certified Calmare provider?

Visit the official Calmare website or consult a pain clinic near you.

March 30, 2025

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