A study in this month’s Anesthesia & Analgesics journal suggests that phantom limb pain, pain often experienced by amputees that’s perceived to be in a missing limb, can be alleviated by mirror therapy. Researchers at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego say they were able to reduce phantom pain in some soldiers via this form of therapy in which patients sit with a mirror vertically between their legs and arms so that the limbs are reflected in it. The reflection in the mirror makes it appear like the injured arm or leg is healthy and normal. The theory behind phantom limb pain is that the pain pathways in the brain and spinal cord can recall the traumatic injury, thus the missing limb somehow continues to hurt, despite not being there anymore. In performing mirror therapy, the brain and spinal cord are visually tricked into believing that all of the person’s limbs are intact and without pain, thus reducing brain activity associated with pain and modulating the pain response experienced by the amputee. [via BusinessWeek]
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Tags: amputation, amputee, analgesia, anesthesia, military, Naval Medical Center, Pain, phantom limb, trauma, war
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
February 1st, 2010 at 7:51 am
They did this in an episode of House. I didn’t realize it was a real thing. Very cool! (that it works, not that it was on House)
February 1st, 2010 at 7:13 pm
is there any research trials going on in Pittsburgh Pa.? how long after bite do you need to get your blood checked?
February 1st, 2010 at 7:17 pm
i still have pain in my side off and on.they took out 2tbs.spoons liquid flesh. and some times i have a feaver and just feel tired.
February 4th, 2010 at 3:11 am
Mirror therapy was first described by V.S. Ramachandran, but has since been proven in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) / RSD, and stroke rehabilitation, as well as for hand and foot rehabilitation following an injury or surgery. http://www.mirrorboxtherapy.com is a good place to start; it has lots of information and a link to where you can purchase a mirror box.