Author: Rachel Fernandes
Imagine being able to feel a body part that no longer exists. Perhaps an arm or leg, that despite having been amputated, feels very much real and present. This perplexing phenomenon is known as phantom limb and for decades, it has been a cause of much fascination and intrigue.
Phantom limb pain refers to the sensation that appears to originate from a limb that is physically absent, most commonly occurring after an amputation. As well as pain, a person may feel that their missing limb is itchy or tingling.
Uncertainty exists regarding the precise mechanisms underlying a phantom limb. But other explanations have surfaced to account for this strange phenomenon. According to one prominent idea, the brain tries to reorganize itself following an amputation, which may explain some phantom limb symptoms. When a limb is amputated, the brain regions that previously processed sensory data from that limb may undergo rewiring, resulting in the production of abnormal sensations. Another view suggests that the nerves that remain after an amputation continue to convey messages to the brain, leading to sensory experiences in the amputated limb.
V.S. Ramachandran's mirror box takes an interesting approach to phantom limb sensation. The mirror box, created by the renowned neuroscientist, is a straightforward tool. It consists of a box with a mirror mounted at an angle inside of it. The individual positions their intact limb on one side of the mirror and their residual limb on the other. The mirror gives the impression that the missing limb is present and moving in unison with the intact limb.
By creating a perceptual illusion, this method can minimise phantom limb sensations. People who receive the mirror box therapy can see a reflection of their healthy limb, creating the appearance that the lost limb has been replaced. As a result, it can aid in lessening the discomfort, tingling, and other strange sensations brought on by the phantom limb.
Advancements in neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), have offered important new insights into the brain mechanisms underpinning phantom limb experience. In order to create more specialised solutions, scientists are working to understand how the brain signals connected to the sense of phantom limbs are interpreted. Improvements in prosthetic limb technology also provide promise for individuals experiencing phantom limb sensations.
Although we have come a long way in terms of managing phantom limb pain, there is still much to learn about this fascinating occurrence. For people with phantom limb sensation, a better quality of life ultimately requires a holistic strategy that includes medical, psychological, and rehabilitative interventions.
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https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12092-phantom-limb-pain
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8933774/
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