“Mirror therapy – Applications on the hand extremities for musculoskeletal and neurological patients”
Date: Friday 10/10/2025
Time: 16:00-17:30
Maximum Number of Participants: 20 people
Instructor: Georgia Petta
COST: 30€
Summary and Learning Objectives: Mirror therapy is a groundbreaking, non-invasive therapy for the management of SPECIFIC ISSUES SUCH AS CHRONIC PAIN, PHANTOM PAIN, LACK OF MOVEMENT AND FUNCTIONAL RE-TRAINING. As the term implies, the main tool of this therapy is a mirror from which the patient receives visual feedback in order to train the brain to form a new ‘’body map’’. The ultimate goal of using the mirror is to correct false statements in the body map, which develop when an injury or loss of limbs occurs. Ramachandran created the mirror box for a patient with amputation and phantom pain (1993). In the mirror box technique, the patient places the healthy limb on the light side (mirror) and the affected limb inside the box (dark side). Then, the patient looks at the mirror, seeing the reflection of the healthy limb, performs activities simultaneously on both limbs. Through this process, the patient believes that the affected limb moves “as healthy”. By using this visual feedback technique, it becomes possible for the patient to progress by overcoming pain, kinesiophobia, dysfunctional perceptions, etc., avoiding negative situations and attitudes. Through this process, the image of healthy activity of the affected limb is transferred to the patient’s brain.
In addition, through this technique, the patient is trained to overcome the symptoms and thus improve the quality of his daily life. There is strong evidence and sufficient research documentation that the use of visual stimuli positively affects the plasticity of the brain. Mirror therapy helps patients with functional disorders either at the level of mental or at the level of physical health. The results are optimistic and positive.
The combination of physiotherapy programs and mirror therapy is a modern, evolving tool in functional rehabilitation. Easy to understand and use form of therapy. Affordable therapeutic means (mirror-mirror box). Application by therapists with knowledge in neurophysiology, treatment of neuropathic pain and brain function.
The laboratory course will lead to the following learning outcomes:
Understanding of the mechanism of the technique
Clinical reasoning for use in combination with other
physiotherapy methods and techniques
Ability to apply to cases involving the hand and extremities