Treating Chronic Pain with Virtual Reality
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is a crushing problem in our society. Some studies show that 25% of the US population suffers from chronic pain costing hundreds of billions of dollars in treatment costs and lost productivity.
If pain from a bodily injury persists longer than 3 to 6 months, pain is considered to be chronic. Chronic pain can result not just from a traumatic bodily injury, but also from inflammation caused by long-term conditions like arthritis. What makes chronic pain really tricky is that people can keep experiencing it long after the physical cause of pain in the area is no longer detectable.
What are the implications of chronic pain?
The implications of chronic pain to the person affected by it are very significant. Every aspect of daily life can be disrupted. Chronic pain can cause insomnia, moodiness, reduce productivity, and damage relationships.
Anxiety and or depression are typical byproducts of chronic pain. Chronic pain also triggers the Stress response with concomitant release of catecholamines and corticosteroids and others, increasing anxiety and or depression.
Why does chronic pain occur?
Explanations of why chronic pain occurs include the most accepted theory, conceptually, as a disruption of Body-Mind Unity, initially in the neuro pathways and then somehow keeping Memory and Emotion as if the initial events causing the pain were repeatedly occurring.
MRI studies, beyond the scope of this communication, are showing some brain structural changes being investigated and identified in patients with chronic pain.
How to treat and help chronic pain patients?
The multidisciplinary approach is being used. Medications include anti-inflammatories, antiseizure, antihistamines, antidepressants, and non-narcotics analgesics. In addition, general health recommendations including exercise are typically beneficial.
CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among the psychological, guided by licensed psychologists. Meditation and guided imagery are techniques very effective in improving the daily life of these patients and improving their outlook.
Virtual reality (VR) has been studied as a potential treatment for chronic pain, and some research has shown that it can be effective in reducing pain levels and improving the quality of life for patients.
How could VR support chronic pain patients?
In VR therapy, patients are immersed in a virtual environment using a headset and other equipment and are guided through exercises and activities that can help them manage their pain and reduce their sensitivity to it. This can include a variety of activities, such as guided relaxation and meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and exposure therapy.
