Here's How Virtual Reality Can Manage Pain At Home
If you've been living with chronic pain, you may feel like you've tried everything. You might have been trying medications, therapies, and even devices to help you find relief. The answer to some of your pain could lie in virtual reality (VR). Virtual reality is beginning to be used for at-home therapeutic sessions to reduce physical pain. Are you uncertain how virtual reality could help you manage your pain? Here's what you should know.
How Virtual Reality Can Help
Virtual reality can act as a distraction from your pain. When you're focused on the VR game or experience, you're not as aware of your pain. That's because virtual reality sort of changes the way your brain processes information. When you're in VR, your brain is getting information from both your senses and the virtual world. That can help reduce how much pain you're feeling.
Virtual Reality and Nerve Pain
Nerve pain is often hard to treat because it can be difficult to find the source. That's where virtual reality comes in. VR can help you find the source of your nerve pain. It does this by using a process called conditioned pain modulation. Essentially, dealing with one type of stimulation can help you better deal with the other. This means that you may experience less pain as you're playing.
Virtual Reality Can Help With Many Chronic Conditions
If you have a chronic condition, you know that pain is often a symptom. That includes conditions like migraines, arthritis, endometriosis, and fibromyalgia. You may also find that VR can help you with other symptoms, like fatigue.
Virtual Reality Can Be Used With Other Methods
Virtual reality is a noninvasive way to help you find relief from your chronic pain. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments like medications and physical therapies. You don't have to stop using other methods to try this one out.
Ask Your Medical Provider About Virtual Reality
While VR is new and is still being studied as an effective tool, it may be worth trying for yourself. Some people have good results, and it comes with few risks and side effects under the guidance of a doctor.
If you're interested in using virtual reality to help with your chronic pain, talk to your medical provider. They can help you figure out if it's the right option for you and, if so, what type of VR system you should use.
Contact your doctor to learn additional info.