Mirror Therapy

Rick

Description

Title:

Mirror Therapy

Creator:

Rick

Date:

11/6/2015

Text:

Good Friday everyone!
Just a little reminder....Mirror Therapy WORKS!
I'm working with a 40something fella who underwent a traumatic above the knee amputation this summer.  The motorcycle-SUV accident caused a lot more damage than just the loss of limb resulting in a great deal of internal fixation to hold his pelvis & residual femur together.  Understandably, he experienced a great deal of phantom limb pain & of course, was heavily medicated for some time.  His rehab therapist & I introduced him to mirror therapy to see if he could get some relief & lessen dependence on meds.  IT WORKS.  Literally within one week of practicing mirror therapy he was off his pain meds.
This gentleman sits long legged on his sofa with a mirror propped btwn his legs for 15-20minutes every evening watching tv, reading &/or visiting with friends & family.  He says he just glances down at his two legs (one in the mirror) every so often & realizes or thinks Hey there's no pain! & continues on visiting or reading.  He also says that if he is 'bothered by' some sensation or PLP while in bed, he just concentrates & envisions sitting on the sofa looking into the mirror at his two, pain free legs & the pain or sensation disappears.
Let's not forget to share this with our patients.  If it only works for 50% of them, it's well worth it!
Rick Milen, CPO


NEXSTEP, Inc.Prosthetic Specialists            & Zombie Buck DesignsBernville, PA

                          

Citation

Rick, “Mirror Therapy,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 25, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/237829.