Digging Deeper

 

????When CRPS and Migraine Collide

New research from Australia is shedding light on a powerful—and often overlooked—connection between Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and chronic headaches. It turns out CRPS doesn’t just affect the injured limb; for many people, it also ignites new or worsening migraines, sometimes on an almost daily basis.

Complex regional pain syndrome and migraine: Clinical relationships and possible common aetiology

A study from Murdoch University, published in Cephalalgia, followed 88 adults living with CRPS. The findings were striking:

• Two‑thirds developed migraines that began or intensified after CRPS started
• One in five experienced headaches nearly every day
• Symptoms often appeared on the same side of the body as the CRPS
• Shared features included limb pain, light sensitivity, touch sensitivity, and forehead tenderness

The researchers highlight a clear clinical link between the two conditions. Their data suggests that central sensitisation and reduced inhibitory pain control—mechanisms known to drive CRPS—may also fuel migraine activity. In other words, the same biological processes that amplify limb pain may also be amplifying cranial pain.

They also propose a reciprocal cycle: CRPS can worsen migraine, and migraine can worsen CRPS. Breaking that cycle may be key to easing symptoms that otherwise feel unmanageable.

Professor Peter Drummond, who led the study, emphasises that many people with CRPS face long‑term pain partly because the condition is poorly understood. Recognising its relationship with migraine could open the door to more effective, integrated treatment approaches.

The authors recommend:

• Routine migraine screening in CRPS clinics
• Screening for CRPS features in headache clinics
• Joined‑up care pathways that acknowledge the overlap

Migraine remains Australia’s most common neurological disorder, affecting around 1.7 million people and carrying a significant economic burden. CRPS, though less common, is one of the most severe chronic pain conditions, often developing after fractures, sprains, or other limb injuries.

This research reinforces what many patients already know: chronic pain rarely stays in one place. Understanding these interconnected mechanisms is essential if we’re to improve outcomes—and quality of life—for people living with CRPS.

If you support people living with CRPS or migraine, explore our evidence-based resources and clinical education programme.

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