The Daily The Sunday Read: ‘Can Virtual Reality Help Ease Chronic Pain?’
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May 22, 2022 Chronic pain affects millions, but virtual reality might offer hope. Discover how immersive environments can alleviate not just pain, but also anxiety and depression. Hear patient stories about transforming their experiences through VR, as well as insights from medical professionals. Explore the potential and challenges of integrating this technology into healthcare, while balancing commercial interests. Could visualizing healthy limbs really rewire perceptions of pain? The future of pain management may lie in this innovative frontier.
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Monterosso's VR Experience
- Julia Monterosso, suffering from chronic abdominal pain, visited Brennan Spiegel's VR clinic.
- In VR, a forest scene evoked grief over her son's death, while a beach scene brought relaxation and pain relief.
Chronic Pain Treatment
- Chronic pain, lasting over three months, is a leading cause of disability.
- Current drug treatments are inadequate, with non-pharmacological therapies like VR gaining traction.
Opioid Crisis and Chronic Pain
- The author, an ER doctor, highlights the opioid crisis and its link to inadequate chronic pain management.
- Overprescription of painkillers can lead to addiction and tragic consequences.
