Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2061857/Mirror-therapy-gives-hope-millions-arthritis-sufferers.html#ixzz1eQhC5g3p

Mirror box therapy is also used for stroke rehabilitation, CRPS/RSD and phantom limb pain.

 I had researched this therapy prior to ever trying it, but it seemed almost too good to be true.

 Since graduating from the Functional Restoration Program I do this at home. It is what helped me increased my entire range of motion.

 Here’s how it works-

 For lower extremity RSD

 Place a full length mirror between your legs. If your right side is damaged then point the reflection of the mirror to your left leg. (If left is damaged, point the reflection to your right leg)

 In the right leg example, your eyes (and even face) need to be watching the left side of the mirror)

 You will see 2 images. One is really your left leg and the other is the reflection of your left leg in the mirror, but your mind will begin to think it is the right side. (Don’t look at the real right side at all)

 Try to suspend any disbelief. This technique tricks the brain and it really does work.

 Stare at the reflection in the mirror for 2 straight minutes.

 You will see two legs/feet

 Start raising your toes (your good side) and take your time, there is no rush.

 Continue doing this for 10 minutes (remember you are moving your good side, not the bad side)

 Eventually and rather quickly, the damaged side will begin to move on it’s own. You may not even have any control over it at all. (remember you are not consciously moving that foot or leg)

 After 10 minutes.. stop. Try again the next day.

 You may get some pain from this and that is because it does actually work. You will move muscles, bones, etc that you Haven’t used or tried to use because of the RSD pain.

Upper extremity

The same concept. There are mirror boxes actually sold for this.

Prior to beginning the FRP I was a little skeptical about mirror and mirror box therapy. I had also never tried it. During my physical therapy I did mirror therapy for 10 minutes 2/3 times a day.

I had researched this therapy prior to ever trying it, but it seemed almost too good to be true.

Since graduating from the Functional Restoration Program I do this at home. It is what helped me increased my entire range of motion.

Here’s how it works-

For lower extremity RSD

Place a full length mirror between your legs. If your right side is damaged then point the reflection of the mirror to your left leg. (If left is damaged, point the reflection to your right leg)

In the right leg example, your eyes (and even face) need to be watching the left side of the mirror)

You will see 2 images. One is really your left leg and the other is the reflection of your left leg in the mirror, but your mind will begin to think it is the right side. (Don’t look at the real right side at all)

Try to suspend any disbelief. This technique tricks the brain and it really does work.

Stare at the reflection in the mirror for 2 straight minutes.

You will see two legs/feet

Start raising your toes (your good side) and take your time, there is no rush.

Continue doing this for 10 minutes (remember you are moving your good side, not the bad side)

Eventually and rather quickly, the damaged side will begin to move on it’s own. You may not even have any control over it at all. (remember you are not consciously moving that foot or leg)

After 10 minutes.. stop. Try again the next day.

You may get some pain from this and that is because it does actually work. You will move muscles, bones, etc that you haven’t used or tried to use because of the RSD pain.

Upper extremity

The same concept. There are mirror boxes actually sold for this.

Read the full post at http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/reflex-sympathetic-dystrophy-discussions/general-support/698075-mirror-therapy-and-rsdcrps

Mirror box therapy is use for stroke rehabilitation and CRPS as well as for rehab after an injury and surgery.

Origenal video at : -

Mirror Therapy – ZOCIAL.tv
This video shows you how to do mirror therapy for a broad range of chronic pain syndromes. For more information visit my blog: …
www.zocial.tv/today/Education/11998180/mirror-therapy

But sophisticated imaging tests of the brain at work have since revealed that it can reorganize itself after injury so that when nerve cells die, their functions are taken over by other cells… read in full at… http://www.consumerreports.org/health/conditions-and-treatments/stroke-prevention/stroke-therapy/index.htm

This video is for everybody its an easy to understand video on how the brain works.

Nova – Secrets Of The Mind
Amazing neurological expedition lead by V.S. Ramachandran MD PHD.

“When we go away from the mirror, we’re finding a ten to twenty percent increase in performance,” says Dr. Jax.

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of mirror therapy on recovery of upper limb function and strength in subacute hemiplegia after stroke. METHOD: Fourty subacute hemiplegic stroke patients (onset <6 months) were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the mirror therapy (MT, n=19), or control group (n=21). MT group received mirror therapy for 30 minutes after each treatment, additionally with the traditional rehabilitation programs, 5 days per week for 4 weeks; 2 hours or more per day, 3 days or more per week. To measure the outcome, we performed the manual muscle test (MMT), manual function test (MFT) and Jarmar grip strength test. RESULTS: MT group showed significant improvements in MMT, grasp and lateral pinch force of grip strength test (p<0.05), compared to control group. Improvement in MFT was more evident in MT group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Mirror therapy can be used as an adjuvant therapeutic technique for improving upper limb function and strength for subacute hemiplegia.