Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Network is holding its annual seminar at the University of Victoria from July 29 to July 31.
RSD or complex regional pain syndrome is a puzzling disorder. According to the McGill pain index, back pain is rated 16, terminal cancer at 26, and RSD at 42.
It can occur after an injury, even a minor one. The injury appears to be healing but the pain intensifies. The sympathetic nervous system becomes overactive, causing continuous and spreading pain that can be unrelenting. Some commit suicide. However, detected in the first several months the syndrome often yields to treatment.
The network chooses to designate July as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness Month.