What is mirror therapy?
Mirror Therapy is a pioneering, non -invasive treatment of chronic pain treatment. As the term suggests, the primary tool for this therapy is the mirror from which the patient receives visual feedback so that he can train the brain to configure the new "body map". This so -called map is simply a firmly connected mental representation that allows you to realize where each component of the body is always, even in complete darkness. This built -in diagram also allows one to move in complex ways without having to consciously focus on each step to perform.
The final goal of mirror therapy is to fix the distortion in the body map that evolves when the limb is injured or loss. In fact, it is assumed that this causes phantom pain associated with loss of arm, legs or other parts of the body, especially if part has been affected by pain before removal. The theory is such that brain records or remembers pain in this particular area and continues to send non -nignal rivers, PThey expect to receive some back in return. In other words, in the absence of experiencing real physical feelings in this area, the brain resorts to "filling gaps" based on the incorrect perception that the missing part of the body is still intact.
Mirror Therapy has also proved to be effective in alleviating discomfort associated with non -specific pain disorders such as complicated regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or reflective sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). In these cases, it is again possible that the brain body map has been distorted. Instead of compensating the missing part of the body, however, the brain exaggerated stimuli such as external temperature, pressure, muscle cramps or simple movement.
When exercising mirror therapy, the patient places the affected limb in the so -called mirror box that maintains the injured part out of sight. The corresponding and unaffected limb is then placed in front of the mirror. An alternative setting is to leave the patient sittingAt right angles in front of the mirror, so only one side of the body reflects. In both cases, the idea is to move both limbs in a coordinated way to mimic the movement of the other. Studies have shown that most patients usually experience feelings in a hidden limb after starting this exercise.
It is obvious that adaptations must be made during mirror therapy to take into account the missing limbs and parts of the body that have not been paired, such as the torso. However, this therapy seems to offer equally effective results for these patients. In addition, mirror therapy can be considered an effective treatment of other conditions. For example, it is investigated as a potential treatment to facilitate recovery from stroke, surgery and recurring tension.