Virtual Reality: A New Tool for Toronto Back Pain Recovery
THE SCIENCE BEHIND VR AND PAIN RELIEF
New groundbreaking research published in Scientific Reports has shown that virtual reality can plainly change how your brain interprets pain signals. Patients with chronic low back pain who used VR systems with visual feedback experienced changes in how they perceived pain during movement. (1) This is not just distraction – your brain is changing how it responds to movements that usually trigger discomfort.
The magic lies in how VR manipulates visual feedback to create a disconnect between what you see and what you feel, allowing your nervous system to relearn pain-free movement patterns. This innovative finding suggests that VR can help break the cycle of pain-avoidance that often keeps people with Toronto back pain from getting the exercise they need.
TARGETING YOUR DEEP SPINAL MUSCLES
Strengthening the lumbar erector spinae presents a major challenge in back pain recovery – the deep muscles that run along your spine and provide crucial stability. These muscles often become weak and poorly coordinated in people with chronic back pain, creating a cycle of instability and increased pain.
New research published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology reveals that these muscles show different fatigue patterns and spatial distribution alterations in older adults compared to younger individuals, highlighting the importance of age-appropriate, targeted training. (2) VR systems can provide real-time feedback about muscle activation, helping you learn to properly engage these deep stabilizing muscles that are often difficult to feel and control.
THE FUTURE OF REHABILITATION
Virtual reality offers a unique opportunity to combine pain science with engaging, interactive exercise. By delivering instant visual feedback about your movement patterns and muscle activation, VR can help you improve your body's natural movement patterns while making the process more engaging and effective.
Check with your Toronto chiropractor at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre about incorporating VR-based exercises into your treatment plan – it may provide a path to lasting back pain relief.
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