How To Treat & Manage Congenital Insensitivity To Pain (CIPA)

Congenital insensitivity to pain is an extremely rare disorder. Also called congenital analgesia, this is a condition where people are born without the ability to feel any sort of pain even though their senses are not otherwise impaired. It might sound useful to be able to retain your ability to feel everything besides uncomfortable sensations. However, it can cause a lot of problems because a person can get injured without noticing that anything is wrong. Unfortunately, there is no way to cure this condition and restore a person's ability to feel pain. Treatment for congenital insensitivity to pain relies on lifestyle changes to ensure that a person does not accidentally get hurt without realizing it.

Behavioral Therapy

Not all people with congenital insensitivity to pain have intellectual disabilities. However, the condition is commonly associated with various types of learning disabilities and behavioral disorders. Individuals who do have this sort of impairment can significantly benefit from behavioral therapy. This type of therapy can greatly improve the outlook for a child who is experiencing difficulties associated with this condition. Starting this version of therapy as early as possible in life will give a child the chance to overcome behavioral issues and improve the ability to learn. This type of therapy primary relies on identifying issues and developing strategies and coping methods for dealing with them. Though it is most effective when started early in life, regular behavioral therapy sessions can continue to provide assistance throughout adulthood.

Keep reading to discover another type of therapy that can greatly help a patient with this condition.

Occupational Therapy

Because they do not instinctively expect a pain response when they move too quickly or vigorously, children with congenital insensitivity to pain tend to have difficulty regulating their movements. They may stomp so firmly while walking that they end up with joint issues or they might fling their arms around so wildly while playing that they hit other things. Those who struggle with motor skills can benefit from occupational therapy. This form of therapy consists of a trained therapist who helps guide the child through all sorts of daily tasks. Children with congenital insensitivity to pain can learn how to feed themselves, dress themselves, play, and move around without accidentally harming themselves, their environment, or others. Occupational therapy is most useful for young children who are still developing their motor skills. However, it can also provide some benefits for adults who struggle to safely cook, drive, or do other riskier activities.

Continue reading to find out another way to treat this disorder now.