Virtual Reality: A New Tool for La Grande Back Pain Recovery
THE SCIENCE BEHIND VR AND PAIN RELIEF
Recent 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 isn't just distraction – it is your brain learning new responses to movement patterns that usually cause discomfort.
VR helps by changing the visual information you receive, creating a difference between what you see and feel that allows your nervous system to develop pain-free ways of moving. This breakthrough finding suggests that VR can help break the cycle of pain-avoidance that often keeps people with La Grande back pain from getting the exercise they need.
TARGETING YOUR DEEP SPINAL MUSCLES
One of the biggest challenges in back pain recovery is strengthening the lumbar erector spinae – the deep muscles that run along your spine and help stabilize it. These muscles often become weak and poorly coordinated in people with chronic back pain, creating a pattern of instability and worsening pain.
Recent research published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology reveals that these muscles have different fatigue patterns and spatial distribution changes in older adults compared to younger persons, highlighting the importance of age-appropriate, targeted training. (2) VR systems can offer instant 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 allows for the combination of pain science with interactive, engaging exercise. By offering 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 La Grande chiropractor at Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC about incorporating VR-based exercises into your treatment plan – it might just be the key to unlocking your path to lasting back pain relief.
CONTACT Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
