Description Civil War to ? CRPS/RSD Fire & Ice Union & Confederate Flags encased in ice surrounded by flamesComplex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) aka Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by severe and relentless pain that affects between 200,000 and 1.2 million Americans & over 5 million worldwide. CRPS was first documented in the United States during the Civil War. It was named Causalgia due to the intense burning pain suffered by soldiers long after the pain from the healed wound should have diminished. The name has changed many times over the years, but, regrettably there is still no cure. Nor, is there an effect treatment for all patients with the condition.