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CRPS Treatment in Colorado | Scrambler Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Jen Gibson FNP-C, Peak Pain Relief

Peak Pain Relief offers CRPS treatment in Colorado using Scrambler Therapy, a non-invasive, drug-free treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. For patients struggling with burning pain, hypersensitivity or allodynia, or ongoing nerve pain after injury or surgery, Scrambler Therapy may help reduce symptoms and improve function without surgery or long-term medication use.

As a healthcare provider offering Scrambler Therapy, I have had the privilege of walking alongside patients who are navigating this difficult path. I’ve seen firsthand how isolating CRPS can feel—and how hopeful it is when the right treatment brings relief. You can read about my daughter’s CRPS journey at: Jordyn’s Story.   My commitment is to compassionate care and to providing an innovative, non-invasive option that aims to truly make a difference. One of those options is Scrambler Therapy, a promising treatment that offers hope to those living with CRPS.

A Personalized Approach to CRPS Treatment

At Peak Pain Relief, we take an individualized approach to CRPS treatment. While Scrambler Therapy is often a central part of care, we may also incorporate other non-invasive therapies based on the patient’s symptoms, sensitivity, function, and stage of recovery. Depending on the case, treatment may include MLS Laser Therapy, vagal nerve stimulation, PEMF therapy, and other supportive approaches designed to calm the nervous system, reduce pain, and improve function.

Because Complex Regional Pain Syndrome can affect each person differently, we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all plan. Our goal is to build a personalized CRPS treatment strategy that supports the nervous system and helps patients move toward meaningful pain relief and better quality of life.

We serve patients in Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, and surrounding Colorado communities who are looking for non-invasive options for CRPS care.

CRPS Treatment in Colorado

To learn whether Scrambler Therapy and our multimodal approach may be appropriate for your CRPS symptoms, contact Peak Pain Relief to schedule a consultation in Colorado Springs or Woodland Park. Call us at (719) 204-5084 or email us at: [email protected].

Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is a chronic pain condition typically affecting a limb after an injury or surgery. The pain is often described as burning, throbbing, or shooting and is usually much more severe than expected based on the initial injury. In many cases, the pain can spread beyond the original area and may be accompanied by swelling, changes in skin color and temperature, or abnormal sweating.

There are two types:

  • Type I (RSD): Occurs without a confirmed nerve injury.

  • Type II: Involves confirmed nerve damage.

CRPS is considered a rare condition, but its impact is profound. It is estimated to affect approximately 200,000 people each year in the United States alone. The condition is notoriously difficult to diagnose and manage, often leading patients through a frustrating cycle of treatments that may only provide limited relief.

Published medical literature on Scrambler Therapy for CRPS is still developing, but a 2023 National Library of Medicine PubMed indexed case series reported significant pain relief, improved function, and improved quality of life in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Johns Hopkins Medicine has also summarized review findings suggesting that Scrambler Therapy may offer meaningful relief for chronic pain and may be more effective than TENS.

Common CRPS Symptoms

  • burning or shooting pain
  • allodynia or extreme sensitivity to touch
  • swelling
  • skin color changes
  • skin temperature changes
  • sweating changes
  • stiffness or reduced movement
  • pain that is out of proportion to the original injury

Frequently Asked Questions About Scrambler Therapy for CRPS

What is Scrambler Therapy for CRPS?

Scrambler Therapy is a non-invasive treatment used to help reduce chronic nerve pain caused by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). It works by sending synthetic “non-pain” information through surface electrodes placed on the skin near the area of pain. The goal is to retrain how the nervous system processes pain signals, helping reduce pain without surgery or medications.
Over the treatment course, many patients experience significant, long-lasting relief—even if other therapies and treatments haven’t worked.

Can Scrambler Therapy help Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Scrambler Therapy may help some patients with CRPS by reducing chronic neuropathic pain, hypersensitivity, burning, and other abnormal pain sensations. While every patient responds differently, many people pursue Scrambler Therapy when medications, injections, physical therapy, or other treatments have not provided enough relief.  See our Patient Testimonials and Google Reviews.

How is Scrambler Therapy different from TENS for CRPS?

Although both treatments use electrodes placed on the skin, Scrambler Therapy is different from TENS. TENS is generally designed to block pain temporarily by stimulating nerves during treatment. Scrambler Therapy is designed to deliver non-pain information to the nervous system in an effort to retrain pain signaling over time. For CRPS patients, this difference is important because the goal is not just temporary distraction from pain, but a more meaningful change in how pain is processed for a long term solution.

Is Scrambler Therapy painful?

Scrambler Therapy is generally well tolerated and is not intended to be painful. During treatment, patients typically feel a variable sensation from the electrodes, but the treatment is adjusted to remain comfortable. Because CRPS patients often have severe sensitivity, treatment settings and electrode placement are individualized carefully.

How Scrambler Therapy Helps with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Scrambler Therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment designed to “retrain” the brain’s perception of pain. Instead of blocking pain signals, it uses a series of electrical pulses delivered through surface electrodes placed near the painful area. These pulses send “non-pain” information to the brain via the nerve pathways that usually carry chronic pain signals.

The goal is to override the chronic pain signal and replace it with a normal, non-painful signal—essentially “scrambling” the pain. Over the course of multiple sessions, many patients report a significant reduction or complete resolution of their pain, often with improvements in function and quality of life.

For individuals with CRPS, this can be a breakthrough—especially when traditional treatments have failed or caused unwanted side effects.

Benefits of Scrambler Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

  • Non-Invasive and Drug-Free: Unlike surgical interventions or pharmacological treatments, Scrambler Therapy is non-invasive and without risk of side effects.

  • High Success Rates: Clinical studies have demonstrated that Scrambler Therapy can provide substantial relief for 80–90% of patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain conditions, including CRPS. See our Patient Testimonials and Google Reviews. Review the research on Scrambler Therapy.

  • Targets the source of pain messaging in the nervous system: Instead of dulling pain, Scrambler Therapy retrains the brain and nerves to interpret pain signals differently—addressing the root cause.

  • Can reduce both pain intensity and pain-related anxiety: Many patients report not only less physical pain, but also reduced emotional stress related to their condition.

  • Minimal Side Effects: The therapy is generally well-tolerated, with most patients experiencing only mild sensations during treatment sessions. There exist very few  contraindications, making it accessible to a wide range of patients.

  • May improve mobility and function: With less pain, patients often experience improved range of motion and are more able to engage in physical activities and daily life.

  • Often provides relief when other methods have failed: For many CRPS patients who’ve tried everything else, Scrambler Therapy has been the turning point that finally brought relief.

Long-Lasting Relief: Most patients report sustained pain relief following a series of treatment sessions, reducing the need for ongoing medication or additional interventions.

How Does Scrambler Therapy Compare to Other Treatments?

Let’s take a look at how Scrambler Therapy stacks up against more traditional approaches to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS):

Treatment Option Invasiveness Use of Medication Potential Side Effects Effectiveness for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Scrambler Therapy

❌ No

❌ No
Minimal (mild skin irritation possible)

✅ Most report substantial relief

Oral Medications (e.g. anticonvulsants, antidepressants)

❌ No

✅ Yes

Fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, GI upset

❓Generally Moderate Relief

Opioids

❌ No

✅ Yes

Dependency, sedation, nausea

❓Generally Moderate Relief

Nerve Blocks/Injections

✅ Minimally Invasive

✅ Yes (steroids/ anesthetics)

Infection, bleeding, temporary relief

❓Varies; often temporary

Physical Therapy

❌ No

❌ No
Muscle soreness, inconsistent relief

✅ May help, mild to moderate success rates, but requires knowledgeable PT in CRPS

TENS Units

❌ No

❌ No

Skin irritation

❌ Provides some relief while using the machine, but stops as the machine is turned off.

Spinal Cord Stimulators

✅ Yes

❌ No

Surgical risks, infection, hardware issues

❓May help some patients; results vary

Ketamine Infusions

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

Hallucinations, nausea, blood pressure changes

✅Promising, but requires monitoring

Scrambler Therapy vs. TENS for CRPS Pain

Many people searching for CRPS treatment ask whether Scrambler Therapy is the same as TENS. Although both use electrodes placed on the skin, they work very differently.

TENS is generally used to provide temporary pain relief while the device is on. It may help mask discomfort for a short period, but it is not designed to retrain the nervous system’s response to chronic pain.

Scrambler Therapy is designed to do something different. It delivers non-pain information through surface electrodes with the goal of retraining abnormal pain signaling. Instead of only attempting to block pain temporarily, the Scrambler Therapy algorithms retrain the brain and nervous system interpret pain signals more normally over time.

That difference is especially important for people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), where pain may persist long after an injury and can become linked to hypersensitivity, burning pain, allodynia, swelling, temperature changes, and severe nerve-related pain. Many people with CRPS are not just looking for short-term relief — they are searching for a non-invasive treatment that may help change the pain experience itself.

At Peak Pain Relief, Scrambler Therapy is offered as a non-surgical, drug-free treatment option for patients with CRPS who want an alternative to temporary symptom management alone.

What to Expect During Treatment

Scrambler Therapy is provided in a relaxed, clinical setting. During treatment, you’ll be comfortably seated or lying down while surface electrodes are placed on your skin. A typical session lasts about 30–45 minutes. Most patients receive a series of 10 treatments over 2 weeks, although booster sessions can be scheduled if symptoms return. Read more in our What to Expect with Scrambler Therapy guide.

Some patients travel to see us for CRPS treatment, including patients from outside Colorado. Because treatment is typically delivered over a series of sessions, we can help patients plan for that schedule.  See our Planning Your Stay guide.

Because Scrambler Therapy is non-invasive and medication-free, there is no downtime, and you can return to normal activities right after each session.

Is Scrambler Therapy Right for You?

Every patient’s journey with CRPS is different. What works for one person may not work for another—which is why individualized care is so important. Scrambler Therapy offers a unique approach that targets the way the brain interprets pain, rather than simply masking symptoms.

If you’ve tried other treatments without lasting relief—or if you’re looking for a non-invasive, medication-free option—Scrambler Therapy may be a meaningful step forward in your healing journey. 

Consult with a medical provider experienced in Scrambler Therapy to determine if this treatment aligns with your specific condition and health profile.

Ready to Try a Different Path?

If you’re tired of living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), you’re not alone—and you do have options. Scrambler Therapy is safe, proven, and may finally give you the relief you’ve been hoping for.

Call us at: (719) 204-5084 or email us at: [email protected] to learn more about how this breakthrough therapy can help you take control of your pain—without medications or invasive procedures.