Mirror therapy
Mirror therapy
Mirror therapy (pronunciation: /ˈmɪrər θɛrəpi/) is a therapeutic method that involves the use of a mirror to create a reflective illusion of an affected limb in order to trick the brain into thinking movement has occurred without pain.
Etymology
The term "mirror therapy" was coined in the late 20th century, with the word "mirror" deriving from the Latin mīrārī meaning "to wonder at, admire" and "therapy" from the Greek therapeia meaning "healing, service, treatment".
Procedure
During mirror therapy, a mirror is placed in a position such that the patient sees a reflection of their unaffected limb in the position of their affected limb. This creates a visual illusion that can help to alleviate phantom limb pain or improve motor function in cases of stroke or other neurological disorders.
Applications
Mirror therapy is used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including:
- Phantom limb pain: This is a condition experienced by amputees where they feel pain in the limb that is no longer there. Mirror therapy can help to alleviate this pain by tricking the brain into believing the limb is still present.
- Stroke: Mirror therapy can be used to improve motor function in stroke patients by creating a visual illusion of movement in the affected limb.
- Complex regional pain syndrome: This is a chronic pain condition that can affect any part of the body, but often affects an arm or a leg. Mirror therapy can help to reduce the pain experienced by patients with this condition.
Related Terms
- Neuroplasticity: This is the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience or following injury. It is a fundamental principle that underlies mirror therapy.
- Visual feedback: This is information that is gained through the sense of sight. In mirror therapy, visual feedback is used to create a visual illusion of movement in the affected limb.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mirror therapy
- Wikipedia's article - Mirror therapy
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