Virtual Reality: A New Tool for San Jose Back Pain Recovery
THE SCIENCE BEHIND VR AND PAIN RELIEF
New groundbreaking research published in Scientific Reports has shown that virtual reality can literally alter what your brain does with pain signals. The study found that patients with chronic low back pain experienced modified pain perception during movement when using VR systems with visual feedback. (1) This is not just distraction – it's your brain rewiring its response to movement patterns that typically trigger discomfort.
The key is how VR changes visual feedback to create a mismatch between what you see and what you feel, allowing your nervous system to develop new, pain-free movement patterns. This innovative finding suggests that VR can help break the cycle of pain-avoidance that often keeps people with San Jose back pain from getting the exercise that can help them.
TARGETING YOUR DEEP SPINAL MUSCLES
A major challenge in back pain recovery is strengthening the lumbar erector spinae – the deep muscles that run along your spine and provide crucial stability. In people with chronic back pain, these muscles commonly become weak and less coordinated which creates a pattern of instability and worsening pain.
Recent research published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology points out that these muscles have different fatigue patterns and spatial distribution patterns in older adults compared to younger persons, highlighting the importance of age-appropriate, targeted training. (2) VR systems can offer real-time feedback about muscle activation, guiding you to properly use these deep stabilizing muscles that can be tough to feel and coordinate.
THE FUTURE OF REHABILITATION
Virtual reality creates an opportunity to merge pain science with engaging, interactive exercise. By offering immediate 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 San Jose chiropractor at Chiropractic Solutions about incorporating VR-based exercises into your treatment plan – it could be an important step toward lasting back pain relief.
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