How To Treat Phantom Limb Pain

Mirror Technique

The mirror technique is a common way of treating phantom limb pain that isn't relieved by medications or spinal cord stimulation. Some patients experience a feeling of tenseness or muscle pain in their missing limb. The tenseness is difficult to relieve, because they don't have actual muscles to relax.

Mirror box therapy involves a box without a lid. There are two holes in the side, one for the remaining limb and one for the stump. The center has a mirror. A patient sees the reflection of their intact limb where their stump is, which tricks the brain into believing their amputated limb is still intact. The patient will then go through therapy exercises to relax their muscles and ease pain using their intact limb. The brain interprets the exercises as applying to the missing limb as well. Research has shown this can lead to significant pain relief.

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