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CRPS Awareness Series · Simplified Edition

When CRPS Pain Nerves Won't Switch Off

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) can keep the nervous system sending pain long after an injury. Pain nerves fire too easily, the spinal cord turns up their signals, and the brain sounds an alarm. Stress releases chemicals that can make sensitized nerves react again, keeping the pain loop going.

Last Reviewed October 2026

  1. Pain Nerves Misfire

    With CRPS, the pain nerves in the affected limb fire too easily and too often. They keep shouting danger long after healing, and the pain can spread. Even a light touch can hurt.

    Pain Nerves in the Affected Limb

  2. The Spinal Cord Turns It Up

    The spinal cord passes those signals to the brain. With so much incoming pain, it gets stuck on high and makes every signal louder.

    The Spinal Cord Turns Up the Volume

  3. The Brain Sounds the Alarm

    The brain's map of the foot can get scrambled. Its alarm center reads danger and flips the body into fight or flight mode.

    The Brain's Alarm Center

  4. Stress Hormones Flood In

    Small glands on top of the kidneys pump cortisol and adrenaline into the blood.

    Stress Glands on Top of the Kidneys

  5. Nerves React to Adrenaline

    With CRPS, nerves in the skin carry extra adrenaline sensors, so stress itself can hurt. The foot may change color and temperature, sweat, or swell.

    Adrenaline Hits Nerves in the Skin

Pain Keeps the Loop Going

Pain is stress too. Each round of fight or flight can keep the nerves and spinal cord on high alert, so the pain keeps going.

Back to Step 1

Wear orange on Color the World Orange™ Day

Monday, November 2, 2026

#CRPSOrangeDay

Orange stands for the burning pain of CRPS.

Data Source Specification Badge 2026

Copyright © Infinity Labs Solutions™, LLC · October 2026

Education only. Not medical advice.

Proud Supporter of CRPS Awareness and a Patient Living With CRPS.

Published by Amy Diette, Founder, Infinity Labs Solutions™.

Sources: NINDS, CRPS Fact Sheet, May 2025 · Lima Pessôa et al., Cureus, December 2024 · Zangrandi et al., Frontiers in Pain Research, September 2021 · Drummond et al., Pain, March 2014 · Color the World Orange, October 2026 · Concept adapted from Burning Nights CRPS Support, October 2026.