What Is RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) and How Is It Treated?

0 June 12, 2026

Living with constant, burning pain in your arm or leg is not something anyone should accept as normal. If this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, or RSD. This chronic pain condition disrupts daily life and requires proper diagnosis and targeted RSD treatment to manage effectively. Understanding this condition is the first step towards reclaiming your quality of life. In this blog, we will walk you through what RSD actually is, how it presents itself, and what modern treatment options are available, including those offered by specialists right here in Kolkata.

RSD Treatment Starts With Knowing What It Is

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is a chronic pain condition, medically known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS Type 1). It typically affects one limb, most commonly an arm, leg, hand or foot, following an injury, surgery, or trauma. The key characteristic of RSD is that the pain is disproportionately severe compared to the original injury. The condition arises from an abnormal response of the sympathetic nervous system, which governs blood flow and temperature regulation in the body. Common triggers of RSD include: