Chronic pain, which may be caused by: repetitive stress injuries, muscle sprains and strains, nerve damage, and joint issues, undermines your ability to enjoy life. It also affects your ability to work, take care of your loved ones, and engage in social activities. This problem is also often associated with additional issues like decreased appetite, low self-esteem, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. If you have such a condition, you need to manage it as much as possible, and one of the best ways of doing that today involves using at-home therapeutic virtual reality (VR). Keep reading to learn more about VR therapy and why it's essential in pain management.
Essentials of VR Therapy
Virtual reality (VR) therapy relies on specially-programmed computers, immersive technological devices, and artificial environments. These are essential in providing patients with simulated experiences designed to help manage pain by alleviating a wide array of issues, ranging from migraines to arthritis-associated pain. Generally, VR is effective in pain treatment since it captures a patient's attention, facilitates blocking of pain signals en route to the brain, and offers sensory and tactile feedback that decreases pain in patients by rallying neurotransmitters.
Benefits of VR Therapy
1. Personalized treatment
Many types of chronic pain exist today, including back pain, neck pain, joint pain, migraines, and testicular pain. All these are treated using different types of therapy. For instance, chronic back pain calls for acupuncture and massage, while professionals use physical therapy to treat joint pain. Experts understand why it's vital to tailor pain management according to the type of chronic pain and patients' needs and preferences. And nothing reflects that better than the highly personalized or individualized treatment plans availed by virtual reality therapy.
2. Recording sessions
VR therapy sessions are more effective when recorded. Recording easily reminds all participants of what went on during a specific previous session. Besides, nowadays, the software and programs used to record ongoing therapy sessions can be scheduled in advance or set to start recording treatment sessions on specific dates and times. That streamlines the entire process and makes it more effective. Besides, since recordings are available for replay, they enhance ongoing assessment through data collection.
3. Exposure control
Treating patients with certain phobias can be challenging and daunting. For instance, if a specific chronic pain victim has agoraphobia, they may be unable to leave their homes for therapy in a different part of the city. The same applies to those that loathe the outdoors. Fortunately, managing pain with virtual reality doesn't require the patient to leave the comfort of their homes. In addition, VR settings can be tweaked and treatment made more relevant by including objects and sounds that make you comfortable and the sessions highly interactive.
For more information, contact a local therapy provider.
