How To Treat Phantom Limb Pain

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation might provide relief for symptoms of phantom limb pain. One study was done on four patients who had intractable phantom limb pain. After treatment, all four patients indicated they had reduced pain symptoms. Experts recommend using spinal cord stimulation techniques in situations where normal pain medications aren't effective enough. This treatment works by stimulating the patient's nerves. Many individuals have heard of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units, which can be bought at most drugstores and are marketed for muscle pain relief. These units send small electrical currents into the body through sticky patches on the skin. The goal is to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. When phantom limb pain is caused by the nervous system sending pain signals, spinal cord stimulation can interrupt the signals when they're still in the spinal cord, before the brain has a chance to interpret them.

Mirror Technique

The mirror technique is a common way of treating phantom limb pain that isn't relieved by medications or spinal cord stimulation. Some patients experience a feeling of tenseness or muscle pain in their missing limb. The tenseness is difficult to relieve, because they don't have actual muscles to relax.

Mirror box therapy involves a box without a lid. There are two holes in the side, one for the remaining limb and one for the stump. The center has a mirror. A patient sees the reflection of their intact limb where their stump is, which tricks the brain into believing their amputated limb is still intact. The patient will then go through therapy exercises to relax their muscles and ease pain using their intact limb. The brain interprets the exercises as applying to the missing limb as well. Research has shown this can lead to significant pain relief.