Mirror Box Therapy

[Guest guest]

Moderator's note:

It especially helps with phantom limb therapy. This is the when you have had an

arm, or leg removed.

Kaylene

I watched this Mirror Box Therapy, and thought it was interesting.

http://www.noigroup.com/EPPvideo.php?

If there is anyone on the list, who has issues with their hands, dexterity, or

arthritis of the hands this seems like it may be useful.

The theory seems to be that the pain in the hand is only partially physical,

that the rest is learned, or produced by the brain, either out of fear, or

inaccurate processing.

In this mirror box, you do the movements with your no-pain or less-pain hand,

and the reflection is the mirror image of this good

hand. The good hand does more or can do more than the more-painful hand.

Then, somehow, the brain sees that the other, not-so-good, hand is doing all

this motion. When actually it is the reflection of the better hand.

But, the brain reprograms itself to believe / think, that the hand actually is

capable of doing the motion, that it is not in pain when doing the motion. And,

according to the Mirror Box Theory, if you practice this Mirror Box Therapy,

then you will gain better use of the more-painful hand, and it will actually

have less pain.

Not sure if my explanation makes more sense or causes more confusion, but the

video is pretty clear.

If anyone has tried Mirror Box Therapy, or if anyone does try it, I would be

interested in knowing how it worked.

Note: I suppose something similar could be use for feet or legs.

Curious,

Jade