Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A lived experience

Details

Sarah will provide an overview of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), what it is, the impact and treatment. She will go on to provide details of her experience from delayed diagnosis affecting recovery, use of specialist CRPS NHS treatment and then seeking safer private Italian pain treatment. The condition is ranked as more painful than childbirth on the McGill pain scale and is frequently misunderstood by professionals. Sarah’s profession gives her a unique insight into that of patient, worker and expert.

Sarah Shaw | Linkedin

Sarah is a Private Consultant Occupational Therapist Working in Occupational Health the last fifteen years and has been an OT for 32 years. Previously an Expert Witness. She was Head OT and Vocational Lead in Mental Health over two Community Mental Health Teams  (Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust) prior to moving into private practice.

She has lived experience of a rare neurological condition, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome acquired from a knee operation in 2014. The syndrome affects her dominant arm and my left leg. Sarah has volunteered for the two main charities for CRPS in the UK, running carers groups and talking about the role of OT in this condition. She has helped many people reach recovery through my knowledge and advice.‘

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