How does mirror therapy assist patients with neurological injuries?

Mirror therapy assists patients with neurological injuries primarily by providing a visual feedback mechanism that can alleviate pain and improve motor function. This therapeutic approach involves using a mirror to create a reflection of the unaffected limb, which can trick the brain into perceiving movement in the affected limb. When patients watch the mirror image of their healthy arm moving, their brain receives positive visual feedback, which can help in re-establishing neural pathways and enhancing motor coordination.

This process is particularly beneficial for patients with conditions such as stroke or complex regional pain syndrome, where emotional and physical components of pain and movement are strongly interlinked. Through repeated practice, mirror therapy can help decrease pain, improve range of motion, and foster better control in the impaired limb, ultimately leading to better overall functional outcomes for patients.

While improving flexibility, increasing muscle strength, and enhancing cognitive function are also important aspects of rehabilitation, they are not the primary mechanisms through which mirror therapy operates. Instead, mirror therapy focuses specifically on visual feedback and its impact on motor function and pain perception.