SpotLight on Phantom Pain

          As I mentioned in my last post, there is as many as 80% of all amputee's experience some type of "Phantom Pain" in the amputated limbs, that aren't present anymore. Over half of all these people that have this condition do not get any type of treatment for the pain. This pain can be a debilitating condition. This article called, "SpotLight on Phantom pain" that I just read states that this makes it a Chronic condition. These people are suffering from this condition with no ease of their pain. Now, these sensations can be burning, itching, squeezing, just to name a few. But can you imagine having any of these sensations with any remedy? As stated in the article, this can be a very confusing and even scary sensation, leading some people to believe that they are losing their minds. So how can you feel pain in a limb that no longer exists??
           In the article, it explains some theories about the condition. And although nobody knows why these amputee have this pain, there are some answers/explanations that are believed around the world. One of these that was stated in the article is "Memory Limb Pain". Which to me sounds like that the brain makes a fixed image of the pain, more like an imprint of the pain. Almost as if it was hard wired into the brains of the amputees.          
           An other theory is "Nerve Bundle Stimulation". Reading illustrates that the nervous around the amputation site either misfire or are stimulated, sending messages to the brain as if they were still intact. these are the same nerves that reach all the way to the end of the limb that was once there. These nerves form bundles called Neuromas. As these nerves fire their impulse, the brain interprets the signals as if they have never been served. sending sharp pain to the end of the phantom limb.
           The last theory stated in the article is "Rewiring of the Nervous System" or I would like the phase as it was in the article before this "Brain Remapping". Basically that the brain and spinal cord makes changes that cause the pain to be interpreted differently.
           As far as treatment for phantom pain; well, the article states that it is much like a chronic pain condition. There is no single treatment approach that works for everybody. Only alternative and complementary treatments are out there to attempt to ease the pain, Mirror Therapy is one of them, as mention from the last article. But also Stump stimulation and Cognitive therapies.
          I like that this article touch on some different theories. Gives me more depth about what scientist or doctors are thinking over the past couple of decades.