Over the past 20 years research has illustrated incredible reductions in chronic pain and the return of functions to limbs and joints through the use of mirror visual feedback (MVF). The treatment works on the foundations that constant streams of sensory input represent a learned pattern of our own bodies and how we perceive them. When a structure is damaged and the peripheral link between the limb and the brain is lost, there is a disconnect between the intention of the brain to move and the resulting feedback, or lack thereof. The consequence is a learned paralysis (in phantom limb phenomenon) or learned pain (as is complex regional pain syndrome). By providing a visual input (the mirror image of the asymptomatic limb) a sensory input will match the motor intention. Click here to see Dr. VS Ramachandran beautifully explain the principles behind this life changing treatment.