I thank you for your videos. I was in a car accident 8 months ago and deciding to have bk amputation. My heal was completely crushed and is nonexistent. I have had infections and finally am infection free. My doctor can operate and do a bone graft and fuse my foot. No guarantees it will work or I will have no pain when walking or become infected again. What a hard decision to make, but I wanted to tell how much I appreciate your videos.
thank you Christina. My occupational therapist at the hospital rehab centre suggested mirror therapy to help me with my phantom pain. I just could not imagine how to do mirror therapy. I wasn't shown. I don't know what I would be doing without your videos.
Thank you for this video. My husband is an above the knee amputee and has been experiencing severe pain. It's been almost 5 years since the amputation. I hope this will be helpful for the long term in his journey.
@@maulanwong3841 I went through 3 phases, and after 8yrs I still have the sensation of having a good leg. I've learned to deal with mostly all the aspects of life. Funny that in my dreams I always have my leg
@@mtsilvagt well im not really scared to become an amputee but its just that id miss my leg or legs although i think being an amputee can be cool sometimes
You’re an outstanding presenter making a positive difference in the community! I followed your advice for gout in my left ankle and it worked well! Don’t know why. Amazing!
Great video... I am currently a COTA at a rehab facility and frequently have patients with amputations.. Pt have such a range of sensations that are hard to imagine without experiencing it myself. Your videos help to put myself in their shoes as well as describe to them how to perform this therapy.. It is difficult to explain at times especially bc this therapy requires 100% of a persons attention. I hope to show your video to my patients. Thanks so much!
Does anyone else seem to get phantom pain type problems when they awake in the night (or even nodding off while watching TV)? I suffered neuropathic pain in my foot and shin for about 5 years or so due to Diabetes. I understand that phantom pain can be worse and last longer if there is an history of pain in the amputated limb ... I just hate it happening during sleep time, and feel shattered the following morning! I'm in the UK, but these videos have been a great help so far... Products may change, but the problems are the same whichever side of the pond! Regards, "ZZ" Steve
Whoa. I almost chopped my thumb off with an axe and it has a little bit of limited movement now. I do a lot of work with tools and of course, being right handed and cutting with my right hand, I have quite a few scars on my left hand from accidents when I was younger. I did this with the mirror to see what that weird feeling was all about and it sure was just that, weird. Suddenly my hand had no scars on it and my thumb could move fully with ease. When I stopped my left hand, it suddenly felt like I had no left hand and that the hand in the mirror was somebody else's. Really cool stuff.
I had a below knee amputation following a motorcycle accident 20 years ago. I have been almost phantom pain free up until lately. The pain in my missing foot is like an electric shock at the point on my foot where the car hit me. I can't sleep. It's driving me crazy. Gonna try this mirror trick. Thanks for showing.
I personally would say, that before doing mirror therapy, the amputee considers how seeing a missing limb again will affect their emotional health. Some amputees go through a period of grief & loss for a limb (especially if the amputation was traumatic). Tricking the brain into thinking the limb is there again can trigger an unexpected emotional reaction, which happened to me. Contrary to most medical opinion & research, I believe that the body should actually be shedding electrical discharges caused by the brain to the missing parts of the body (& certainty not introducing any more electrical activity in the form of TENS).
enjoyed your video about phantom pain and the mirror therapy. will keep checking in with your videos. Only a month out from my amputation. Experiencing a lot of phantom pain.
You mention preferring "symmetrical" movements but I am confused how one can do that without a second foot. Did I miss something? Or did you mean to only move in one direction? Thank you.
I wonder if the idea of mirror therapy could be applied to something like PTSD. We now know trauma that results in PTSD, can cause parts of the brain to physically change shape. This could even result in that area of the brain to, on one level or another, change functions. If I'm understanding it right, Mirror therapy, and the newer VR versions, essentially, "reprograms" the brain much the same way. If we could learn what mechanism causes the brain alterations, perhaps we could then find ways to cause it to go back to the desired shape and function. The big question would be, what might serve as the mirror in something like PTSD? Perhaps a mixture of visual and audio inputs like VR? Perhaps a custom program to give specific interactions meant to give the mind happy and calming things to focus on. Calming colors could dance around the persons vision the same way movies showed people experiencing the world around them while on an LSD trip or such. Meditations in fantasy environments, at the ocean or on top of a mountain. Some place that feels safe. Using a fan with a beach smelling candle or other scents the person finds calming. Maybe even some low level Exposure Therapy? Recreations of what caused that persons PTSD, could be interspersed throughout the session?
I have very good experiences with the mirror therapy. But it is important that you have also a good occupational therapist who can lead you through the therapy. You can read more about this thearpy reading some publications of Prof. Vilayanur S. Ramachandran.
Thanks for this video, it's very helpful!! I have one question though: what do you mean with "symmetrical movement" vs. "asymmetrical"? with a mirror everything seems to be symmetrical...
the movements you make have to match the movements in the mirror. so if you're wiggling your right leg to the right, your left leg has to move to the left. think of it like a paper snowflake. it's like it's exactly the opposite on each side, so that if you folded it over, it would fit together perfectly. because if you moved both your legs to the same side at the same time, what you're doing in your amputated limb wouldn't match what you see in the mirror
A friend of mine just today told me about "mirror box therapy" so here I - and missing leg - am. Been amputated for about a year and my left toes, although missing, still can "wiggle", the missing ankle still "trobs", the foot still feels like it's wallowing in deep carpet, toes still hurt, yadda... I would love to be able to rewire those nerve pathways but, until then, I can at least confuse them more, right? Definitely gonna try this! Brains are weird, but then so is phantom pain. Thanks! Do wonder if this would be more effective with the prosthetic leg on or off...
Unfortunately my brain wasn't fooled for very long! At first it worked but unfortunately not now. However I have found that Auto Hypnosis is very helpful.
Have you had patients with sensation after amputation - not pain? I had my finger amputated and I feel it all the time, except when I'm playing the piano. It's not painful at all, just weird. Do you think mirror therapy might help?
tnx 4 this video i really need this typ of video thanku so bt i want to ask some question is this tharpy also work as the same if person loss his 80 % limb or how much time to continue with use this tharpy n howmany log hav patient relefe with own pain
So do you continue to take any medications for the phantom pains. I find that the mirror therapy works for me from time to time. I can also do the same movements to reduce pain without using mirror therapy. It seems to work to reduce the pain or spasms in the non leg.
One year anny of my left BKA. Still trying to get my knees to straighten out from being in a chair for years. Any suggestions? I only walk short distances.
(I think this is like my first comment on here so yay for that, and it's also weird because I've been subed to you for like half a year....) So, how far can you trick your brain with stuff? Like what I mean is for example could you like take some pain medicine and your brain would think it worked for your amputated leg and then it would stop or lessen the pain?
Hi amptuteeOT both my hands have fingers missing ,and both hands are mangled I only got a finger and thumb left, that are not replants.After 13 years of constant pain by a replant finger I finally had it removed, 3 days ago so I have a lot memory pain , I never tried mirror therapy before because of the extent of my Injurys to both hand , but I'm curious do you know anyone who has both limbs not looking the same , and mirror treatment working , I'm going to try it anyway , just want to know if you heard any success story's with Injurys similar to mine. Thank you for any come back
Hi,I had same op on my right leg in may last year. I get no phantoms during the day but as soon as i am prone in bed its agony. Taking pregabalin but its not working. Any thoughts/ideas ?
I thank you for your videos. I was in a car accident 8 months ago and deciding to have bk amputation. My heal was completely crushed and is nonexistent. I have had infections and finally am infection free. My doctor can operate and do a bone graft and fuse my foot. No guarantees it will work or I will have no pain when walking or become infected again. What a hard decision to make, but I wanted to tell how much I appreciate your videos.
thank you Christina. My occupational therapist at the hospital rehab centre suggested mirror therapy to help me with my phantom pain. I just could not imagine how to do mirror therapy. I wasn't shown. I don't know what I would be doing without your videos.
Thank you for this video. My husband is an above the knee amputee and has been experiencing severe pain. It's been almost 5 years since the amputation. I hope this will be helpful for the long term in his journey.
Loretta Walls +I'm AKA since 2011 & Have sever PhanPains especially at night.
@@mtsilvagt im a non amputee and im scared to become and amputee, its just the fear of being without my limb or limbs
@@maulanwong3841 I went through 3 phases, and after 8yrs I still have the sensation of having a good leg. I've learned to deal with mostly all the aspects of life. Funny that in my dreams I always have my leg
@@mtsilvagt well im not really scared to become an amputee but its just that id miss my leg or legs although i think being an amputee can be cool sometimes
@@maulanwong3841" It's no duckwalk, lemmy tell you" scarface Tony Montana quote,
You’re an outstanding presenter making a positive difference in the community! I followed your advice for gout in my left ankle and it worked well! Don’t know why. Amazing!
Thank you! I cant wait to start doing this. I lost my leg in 1976 and I am experiencing horrible pain that keeps me up all night. Now I have hope.
Great video... I am currently a COTA at a rehab facility and frequently have patients with amputations.. Pt have such a range of sensations that are hard to imagine without experiencing it myself. Your videos help to put myself in their shoes as well as describe to them how to perform this therapy.. It is difficult to explain at times especially bc this therapy requires 100% of a persons attention. I hope to show your video to my patients. Thanks so much!
this is super-helpful for telehealth these days. Thanks so much.
Thank you for this video . It really helps me a lot . My knee got amputated last week and I feel so much pain.
Once again you are so helpful . Much love from Texas.
Does anyone else seem to get phantom pain type problems when they awake in the night (or even nodding off while watching TV)?
I suffered neuropathic pain in my foot and shin for about 5 years or so due to Diabetes. I understand that phantom pain can be worse and last longer if there is an history of pain in the amputated limb ... I just hate it happening during sleep time, and feel shattered the following morning!
I'm in the UK, but these videos have been a great help so far... Products may change, but the problems are the same whichever side of the pond!
Regards,
"ZZ" Steve
Whoa. I almost chopped my thumb off with an axe and it has a little bit of limited movement now. I do a lot of work with tools and of course, being right handed and cutting with my right hand, I have quite a few scars on my left hand from accidents when I was younger. I did this with the mirror to see what that weird feeling was all about and it sure was just that, weird. Suddenly my hand had no scars on it and my thumb could move fully with ease. When I stopped my left hand, it suddenly felt like I had no left hand and that the hand in the mirror was somebody else's. Really cool stuff.
well I'm a double amputee so this does actually help really
I had a below knee amputation following a motorcycle accident 20 years ago. I have been almost phantom pain free up until lately. The pain in my missing foot is like an electric shock at the point on my foot where the car hit me. I can't sleep. It's driving me crazy. Gonna try this mirror trick. Thanks for showing.
Its been 1 year later now. May I ask if its work for you? Did you relief the pain?
@@plingz754 yes. It works really well.
I personally would say, that before doing mirror therapy, the amputee considers how seeing a missing limb again will affect their emotional health. Some amputees go through a period of grief & loss for a limb (especially if the amputation was traumatic). Tricking the brain into thinking the limb is there again can trigger an unexpected emotional reaction, which happened to me.
Contrary to most medical opinion & research, I believe that the body should actually be shedding electrical discharges caused by the brain to the missing parts of the body (& certainty not introducing any more electrical activity in the form of TENS).
enjoyed your video about phantom pain and the mirror therapy. will keep checking in with your videos. Only a month out from my amputation. Experiencing a lot of phantom pain.
Glad I could help! Phantom pain is evil, isn't it?
Wow. Just tried the mirror thing with my hands (I'm not an amputee) and it did feel really weird. That's super cool. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, what an interesting video
thank you so much it helped me so much one yr ago i became an amputee
Very interesting.
You mention preferring "symmetrical" movements but I am confused how one can do that without a second foot. Did I miss something? Or did you mean to only move in one direction? Thank you.
I wonder if the idea of mirror therapy could be applied to something like PTSD. We now know trauma that results in PTSD, can cause parts of the brain to physically change shape. This could even result in that area of the brain to, on one level or another, change functions. If I'm understanding it right, Mirror therapy, and the newer VR versions, essentially, "reprograms" the brain much the same way.
If we could learn what mechanism causes the brain alterations, perhaps we could then find ways to cause it to go back to the desired shape and function.
The big question would be, what might serve as the mirror in something like PTSD?
Perhaps a mixture of visual and audio inputs like VR? Perhaps a custom program to give specific interactions meant to give the mind happy and calming things to focus on. Calming colors could dance around the persons vision the same way movies showed people experiencing the world around them while on an LSD trip or such.
Meditations in fantasy environments, at the ocean or on top of a mountain. Some place that feels safe. Using a fan with a beach smelling candle or other scents the person finds calming. Maybe even some low level Exposure Therapy? Recreations of what caused that persons PTSD, could be interspersed throughout the session?
Awese video Christina
Thanks a lot
Very interesting.Morris
I have very good experiences with the mirror therapy. But it is important that you have also a good occupational therapist who can lead you through the therapy.
You can read more about this thearpy reading some publications of Prof. Vilayanur S. Ramachandran.
Thanks for this video, it's very helpful!! I have one question though: what do you mean with "symmetrical movement" vs. "asymmetrical"? with a mirror everything seems to be symmetrical...
the movements you make have to match the movements in the mirror. so if you're wiggling your right leg to the right, your left leg has to move to the left. think of it like a paper snowflake. it's like it's exactly the opposite on each side, so that if you folded it over, it would fit together perfectly.
because if you moved both your legs to the same side at the same time, what you're doing in your amputated limb wouldn't match what you see in the mirror
A friend of mine just today told me about "mirror box therapy" so here I - and missing leg - am. Been amputated for about a year and my left toes, although missing, still can "wiggle", the missing ankle still "trobs", the foot still feels like it's wallowing in deep carpet, toes still hurt, yadda... I would love to be able to rewire those nerve pathways but, until then, I can at least confuse them more, right? Definitely gonna try this! Brains are weird, but then so is phantom pain. Thanks! Do wonder if this would be more effective with the prosthetic leg on or off...
Unfortunately my brain wasn't fooled for very long!
At first it worked but unfortunately not now.
However I have found that Auto Hypnosis is very helpful.
Very interesting - thank you!
Have you had patients with sensation after amputation - not pain? I had my finger amputated and I feel it all the time, except when I'm playing the piano. It's not painful at all, just weird. Do you think mirror therapy might help?
tnx 4 this video i really need this typ of video thanku so bt i want to ask some question is this tharpy also work as the same if person loss his 80 % limb or how much time to continue with use this tharpy n howmany log hav patient relefe with own pain
So do you continue to take any medications for the phantom pains. I find that the mirror therapy works for me from time to time. I can also do the same movements to reduce pain without using mirror therapy. It seems to work to reduce the pain or spasms in the non leg.
One year anny of my left BKA. Still trying to get my knees to straighten out from being in a chair for years. Any suggestions? I only walk short distances.
That's pretty cool.
(I think this is like my first comment on here so yay for that, and it's also weird because I've been subed to you for like half a year....) So, how far can you trick your brain with stuff? Like what I mean is for example could you like take some pain medicine and your brain would think it worked for your amputated leg and then it would stop or lessen the pain?
Similar effect/concept to the rubber hand illusion?
The Rubber Hand Illusion - Horizon: Is Seeing Believing? - BBC Two
Hi amptuteeOT both my hands have fingers missing ,and both hands are mangled I only got a finger and thumb left, that are not replants.After 13 years of constant pain by a replant finger I finally had it removed, 3 days ago so I have a lot memory pain , I never tried mirror therapy before because of the extent of my Injurys to both hand , but I'm curious do you know anyone who has both limbs not looking the same , and mirror treatment working , I'm going to try it anyway , just want to know if you heard any success story's with Injurys similar to mine.
Thank you for any come back
Hi,I had same op on my right leg in may last year. I get no phantoms during the day but as soon as i am prone in bed its agony. Taking pregabalin but its not working. Any thoughts/ideas ?
And if you double amputee ?
Then thank doctors for gabapentin
Sounds like they got it all wrong on House.
House (Mirror Magic)
Nice theory, Dr. House, but it's not quite how it works.
Can Lance Armstrong use this?
Every night I feel my arm, my leg, even my fingers, like they're all still there
Thats kinda creepy
Smh wish this worked for me, i just be in pain all day , im a below knee amputee
Scientists forgot about how neuroplasticity works in the brain...
anyone here has lose his leg too ? its ok we will get tru it
You feel it too, don't you?
lol you are sick
You said so I can think it's the plague in the mirror is mine it's yours it's just the other leg seriously that makes no sense
I did this. I'm not an amputee so now my body thinks I have 4 legs.
mcfrogner fuck off
Sorry I meant awesome ..... bloody typo