This course addresses mirror visualization therapy. Mirror visualization therapy is a novel treatment approach discovered by V.S Ramachandran in the quest to understanding synesthesia. Dr. Ramachandran discovered potential benefits to mirror therapy to phantom limb pain, stroke, and CRPS. The current evidence points to the efficacy of mirror therapy when applied to these populations. Furthermore, since then the Lorimer Moseley, David Butler, and a myriad of other researchers have found benefits for orthopedics as well. The methodology that has been discovered to work best is graded motor imagery a 3 part sequence, including: part 1 laterality rehabilitation, part 2 graded motor imagery, part 3 mirror therapy. This can benefit physical therapists and physical therapy assistants that treat these conditions in a variety of settings in a acute care, skilled nursing home, home health setting, and in a outpatient physical therapy setting. In conclusion, mirror visualization therapy can enhance motor control and reduce pain, and it is a relatively inexpensive yet effective option to utilize in a variety of clinical settings.
