I was just looking for a quick video on using mirror box for CRPS (Complex regional pain syndrome) – well I couldn’t find any on YouTube, but I did find a good few on use for stroke.
Take a look at these and let me know what you think! BTW If you’ve made a video on mirror box therapy in CRPS, or phantom, let me know and I’ll link to it.
This link takes you to jeisea’s blog where she has posted an extensive range of articles and links on using mirror box therapy for CRPS. Thanks jeisea!
BTW you don’t always need the box – you can simply use a mirror…
Enjoy!.
Here’s another – this time from Australian physiotherapist David Butler
Another recent one from Jeisea.
This is a series of four videos of mirrorbox therapy including history – it’s by Dr Ilan Lieberman, and at a commercial website (note I don’t endorse any specific products) but it is clear, and a great watch!
HealthSkills Blog 
V S Ramachandran has a video on this. I use mirror therapy very successfully to treat complex regional pain syndrome. I don’t use a box. If you click on “mirror therapy” tag on my blog and scroll through you’ll see photos of what I do. I’ve thought of making a video but do not wish to have a public face at this stage. If you have any questions I’d be happy to explain what I do and how it helps.
jeisea
Hi jeisea
Thanks for adding your personal note to this – I think it’s a helpful adjunct to living with CRPS, and I am glad to see there is something on YouTube – of course it would be wonderful to have a video of someone like you, but I can completely understand how you wouldn’t want to have your face broadcast around the world!!
Thanks for the link too, I’ll put a quick link on this post shortly.
cheers
Bronnie
I am sorry but I don’t know how to go to your blog to watch what you do for crps on my foot. I am very excited to try for relief. I wanted to purchase the mirror box by ramachandandran but couldn’t find that either so I just went to bed bath and beyond and purchased a long mirror and tried to figure what to do so if you have some photos of the actual therapy I should do I would be extremely grateful
I also use a mirror for CRPS pain, it was the first thing the physio (my pain specialist sent me to) did with me. I still find it very facinating the feeling you get and how I can almost completely stop one type of pain just by moving the opposite foot and watching it in the mirrir! I have found it to be the best pain relief for the really bad ‘I cant concentrate stabbing pain’, especially at night so I can get a little sleep. Only problem is its not very moblile, I cant take a mirror about with me everyday!
Good to hear Felicia! I had never thought of using it to get a good sleep!!
fELICIA, ANY MIRROR WILL DO. yOU DO NOT NEED A BOX. dAVID bUTLER WHO CO WROTE “eXPLAIN pAIN” AND WHOSE noi gROUP SELLS BOXES SAY THE SAME. i USE A WARDROBE MIRROR AND HAVE EVEN USED A MAKE UP MIRROR. tHE MAIN THING IS YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO PLACE YOUR PAINFUL LIMB BEHIND THE MIRROR AND FOCUS ON THE MIRROR IMAGE OF THE PAIN FREE LIMB.
Have a look at David Butler’s 7 minute video on Mirror Box Therapy. He’ll try to answer all of your questions. It’d be great if this video was up the top with the others…
Hi there!
Thanks for that link, I’d forgotten about it. Will put it in here – and give it a blurb by itself too.
Its terrific that you and Doug have made such a splendid video
One minor point ; It seems to work best if the patient simultaneously sends mirror symmetric commands to the two hands instead of just moving the normal hand while watching the reflection Ideally each patient should do both and compare them to see which works best.
There are two papers that might interest you One by Cacchio et al double blind controlled study in New England Journal Aug 6 2009 361;(6) and one by me in BRAIN on mirror feedback earlier this year
VS Ramachandran
I injured my foot last Wednesday and made a video of using mirror therapy to reduce pain and motor function. Here’s the link if you’d like to see.
http://crps-rsd-a-better-life.blogspot.com/2009/10/mirror-therapy-for-foot.html
I think one of the main things with Mirror therapy is that as Moseley has recently written – ‘is it all it’s cracked up to be’? (See URL below)
http://bit.ly/15SFzz
This is especially the case for more chronic states, unlike a sprained ankle which can benefit from the use of a mirror. In the further developed states of neurological pain, laterality exercises in combination with mirror therapy have been proven to decrease pain levels.
I think there is currently a lot of hype about mirror therapy, especially after the recent House episode in the US and Canada. The main key is that people understand what they’re changing – this will always improve the outcome.
http://www.gradedmotorimagery.com
Thanks for that word of caution – I agree there has been quite a lot of hype around mirror box and laterality and motor imagery, and this may lead to some people hoping for more than is actually achievable. Even Lorimer Moseley acknowledges that his results have been achieved in small sample sizes, with largely acute or subacute pain problems, and in people with fairly good prognoses rather than the complex histories of many people attending chronic pain centres.
I’m not sure of much evidence to show that awareness of how mirror box etc actually rearranging the cortex directly influences outcome – but I do know there is a literature suggesting that expectancies influence outcome, so maybe that’s something to consider too.
I’ve been diagnosed as having RSD but have no pain – just two months of redness, stiffness etc.
What is the protocol for using mirror therapy? How many times a day and for how long?
I can move my injured hand without pain – its just limited AROM. Any suggestions?
If you’re not experiencing pain, then currently you don’t meet the criteria for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or RSD. This is characterised by allodynia, or exquisite pain on light touch, burning and trophic changes to nails, hair, skin etc.
I’d suggest you try just resting your hand while looking at the ‘good’ hand through the mirror. Then attempt moving both hands while looking at the ‘good’ hand in the mirror – and see whether it makes any difference to your range of movement. Do this for a maximum of 2 – 3 minutes, then review.
If you notice any changes in sensation, ROM while doing this in the mirror, and it’s helpful – then repeat a couple of times a day. Try this for a day or so – but only if you notice any changes. Changes typically occur quickly, while the hand is in the mirror, so if you don’t notice anything quite quickly after you’ve put your hand there, it’s not the treatment for you.
Infortunio sul lavoro del 4/11/2003,trauma cranico con
ematoma epidurale,due op.alla testa,due ematomi e un”emorragia cerebrale che mi ha causato l”emiparesi dx,sono rimasto sorpreso con la “mirror
box”,sono disposto a comprarlo subito.
L”indirizzo e” ..Cafaro Vincenzo
Loc.Piedi l”Arma 4 84030 Caggiano Salerno
Tel.0975 393583
I don’t speak Italian, but I think you’re asking where you can buy a mirrorbox. You don’t actually need a mirrorbox, you can just use a mirror – or you could construct a box from mirrored tiles such as the ones used in bathrooms. I hope you find what you’re looking for.
See Dr Ilan Lieberbman’s video presentation on Mirror Visualisation Therapy; it covers what it is, the history, the theory, the evidence and how it used.This 4 part video is aimed at those looking to start using mirror therapy as well as those how what a little more insight to the medical theory.
Just doing some personal research dealing with RSD on my right Hand I am an art teacher and the emotion side is big …of course when I watch your video…although I live in Canada I can hear your geordie accent and makes me think of home ..south sheilds…hoping it is a sign I am on the right track
Hi Gerri, thanks for your note, and I really do hope this approach helps you – but I’m from New Zealand, not the UK (tho’ I have ancestors from around Bristol way, and my Dad’s family are from Northern Ireland!).
If you’re looking for people who will use this approach with you in Canada, can I suggest you try to get in touch with the Canadian Physiotherapy Pain Science Division (Dave Walton is the chair of this division)? I believe Dave is based in London, Ontario, but email is always good!
This works if your pain is a limb/appendage, but what if it’s an organ / part of your torso? Can any element of mirror therapy be used?
That’s a little more difficult Lisa, and I’m not sure how you’d use mirrorbox in this situation. The research will take a little longer to develop but keep reading.
If you’re living with CRPS, give mirror therapy go. It may not work for everyone though. The technique has also shown positive results in early but not late CRPS.