PHANTOM PAIN TREATMENT

WHAT IS PHANTOM PAIN?

Phantom Pain is a psychological phenomenon where one experiences pain coming from a limb that is no longer there. One may experience constant or intermittent pain from the amputated limb or the area surrounding it. If trauma was inflicted to the limb (causing a wound), the source of pain may be centered in that specific place.

While more research is being conducted, it is believed to be caused by nerve endings near the amputated limb that continue to send pain signals to the brain. 80% of the amputee population experience this type of pain, which is not caused by any continuing physical ailment, or physical pain receptors in the region that pain radiates from.

While the limb may no longer be attached to the body, the pain is very real and identifiable in the brain. A range of treatments can help alleviate symptoms, including medications, various forms of psychotherapy, and neurofeedback therapy.

Phantom Pain Symptoms May Include The Following Sensations Where The Limb Used To Be

  • Aching

  • Burning

  • Itching

  • Pinching

  • Shooting or stabbing pain

  • Throbbing

  • Tingling

  • Twisting

Neurofeedback Treatment for Phantom Pain

Pain is a protective mechanism in our body that helps us identify when a surface is too hot or when we’ve stepped on something sharp so we can pull our hand or foot away. While it may feel like our hand is hurting, pain is fully identified and processed in the brain. Phantom Pain specifically has been linked to disrupted activity between different parts of the sensorimotor cortex that causes an affected individual to continue experiencing the protective pain reflex even when their limb is no longer attached. Because phantom pain is cause by a disruption in the brain rather than a physical ailment, brain training is extremely effective in treating it. Neurofeedback rewires the brain to stop sending pain signals, which can significantly alleviate symptoms over time.

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How does Neurofeedback work?

  • Brain map New York City

    1. Brain map

    Brainwave assessment identifies imbalances and helps to create a personalized treatment plan.

  • Neurofeedback setup

    2. Treatment setup

    Non-invasive sensors and headphones are placed on your head and the treatment session begins.

  • Brain training

    3. Brain activation

    Software translates your brainwave data and stops or starts audio/visual media based on your brain activity.

  • nyc brain training

    4. Conditioning

    In response to the audio/visual feedback, your brain adapts and learns to regulate your brainwaves and build new, healthy neural pathways.

  • optimal brain

    5. Brain Training

    Over time with continuous brain training, healthy brain activity in target regions increases, and symptom-associated activity decreases.

3 steps away from getting help

  • Step 1: Schedule a consult

    Complete the simple form on the bottom of this page or call us directly (212) 877-2130 for questions or to schedule.

  • Step 2: Intake, Assessment and Brain map

    You can share your mental issues in the intake and we schedule the brain- and neurocognitive assessment. A complete Brain map is part of the personalized treatment plan

  • Step 3: Start program and expect noticeable results

    During the training program you will experience results within a few sessions. Personalized brain training can quickly improve the quality of life with long lasting results.


Related Research

 

The mechanism of neurofeedback training for treatment of central neuropathic pain in paraplegia: a pilot study. Click Here