MIRROR BOX THERAPY, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Mirror Therapy, or Mirror Box Therapy.

It is a physiotherapy/physical therapy and occupational therapy technique used to help increase movement and decrease pain in limbs. It is suitable to treat conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), phantom limb pain, stroke and other chronic pain conditions. In many of these conditions the affected limb may not move well and it might be very painful when you try to move it. With adequate practice using mirror therapy, both patients and therapists have reported positive outcomes.

Background Of Mirror Therapy  

Mirror therapy was first theorized by V. S. Ramachandran, Director of the Centre for Brain and Cognition, and Distinguished Professor with the Psychology Department and the Neurosciences Program at the University of California, San Diego. He is trained as a doctor and then obtained a Ph.D. from Trinity College at the University of Cambridge.

Ramachandran is credited with the invention of the mirror box and the introduction of mirror visual feedback as a treatment for phantom limb paralysis. This is known as mirror therapy.

V. S. Ramachandran has published over 180 papers in scientific journals and is referred to as “The Marco Polo of neuroscience” by Richard Dawkins and “The modern Paul Broca” by Eric Kandel.

Mirror Therapy & The Brain

The brain is known to be “plastic”. The activity you perform daily, change the way the limb is represented in the brain. For example, if you are a pianist, both of your hands have a bigger representation in your brain. After any injury, the representation of the affected limb in the brain may be smaller or associated with pain.

Mirror therapy uses the brain’s prioritization of visual feedback over the sensation of the limb. In other words, mirror therapy involves using a mirror to “trick” the brain into thinking the affected limb is okay. During mirror therapy treatment exercises, the affected limb is covered and hidden behind a mirror. The movement of the good limb will thus be reflected in the mirror, allowing the brain to think that the affected limb is moving freely.

Evidence has shown that the areas of the brain are active during observation of the movement which are involved in the performance of movements. In simple terms, even though the brain can feel the affected limb is not moving, it forgets this and chooses to believe what it can see reflected in the mirror. With regular use of mirror therapy, the representation of the affected limb in the brain will change again. The brain will start to “learn” that this limb is okay and therefore will start to move it more easily.

How To Begin With Mirror Therapy Treatment & Exercises

Mirror therapy equipment can either be purchased and put together independently or can be bought online as a set. There are a variety of types of mirror boxes. However, as long as the main principles are followed, the shape and design of the box should not matter. The most important thing is that the affected limb is hidden and that the mirror is big enough to see all movements carried out with the opposite limb. 

Mirror therapy benefits include providing you with the opportunity to manage your own pain. Pain can be incredibly disabling to all patients. It may stop you from working or being able to play with your family. Mirror therapy is also non invasive. Most traditional treatment for pain includes pharmaceutical management. Many pain killers have strong side effects which might impact other areas of your life negatively. They can also be very costly and, at times, addictive. Having an opportunity to manage your pain using mirror therapy may mean less reliance on medication. Reducing your pain could mean returning to areas of your life that you previously had to give up.

Mirror therapy has also been shown numerous times to help improve motor function. Gaining more movement in a paralyzed limb may allow you to be more independent in life. It could be the difference between needing someone to help you get dressed and being able to do it yourself.

THE BEST SOLUTION FOR MIRROR BOX THERAPY.

SAEBO, has a Mirror Box, conveniently called the Saebo Mirror Box.  The great features of this device is that it is affordable, readily available, lightweight, can be opened and closed with only one hand, stores flat and takes up little to no space.

See the attached videos on the Saebo Mirror Box, and it is available at www.jghrehab.ca.  In stock and ready to ship.

Saebo Mirror Box | Mirror Therapy for Stroke Rehabilitation - YouTube

Saebo Mirror Box Unboxing Video -- Mirror Box Therapy for Hand Recovery After Stroke - YouTube