Phantom limb Flashcards
Define phantom limb
The ability to feel a part of the body that no longer exists
What is phantom limb pain?
The ability to feel pain in a limb that doesn’t exist
What does mirror therapy entail?
The use of a mirror showing a copy of the remaining limb acting as a ‘placebo’
How does mirror therapy work
Using a mirror and with lots of practice, the brain can be tricked into believing the phantom limb still exists, eliminating the pain
What is a mirror neuron?
Neurons that mirror the feeling of a limb despite that limb being absent
Where does the pain from phantom limbs come from?
The pain from phantom limbs comes from the brain sending a signal to the missing limb when the other senses invade the vacant area in the brain. When the signal does not reach, that’s when the phantom pain occurs. The mirror creates an illusion as though the limb is in fact receiving the signal
What do mirror neurons do?
Mirror neurons can mirror the neural activity of other people, as long as you can see them physically do the action. Mirror neurons can also mimic actions coming from your own body as you watch yourself do them
When do mirror neurons fire?
Both when doing something, and seeing someone do somthing
