Therapeutic virtual reality programs can help you manage chronic pain. If you can use programs at home, then you get instant access to a range of useful therapies that could reduce your pain and help you learn how to cope with it more effectively. You don't have to worry about how you will get to therapy appointments and you can have therapy sessions whenever you need them.

Read on to learn more about two useful virtual reality therapies you can use.

1. Mindfulness Programs

Mindfulness techniques help you focus on the present moment. They can help you manage pain by diverting your focus away from it by moving into a less stressful mindset. This brings you out of your pain cycle.

For example, a virtual reality mindfulness program might walk you through meditative breathing exercises. Or, it might help you focus on your immediate feelings or specific parts of your body. In either case, you can reduce the effects of the brain's pain receptors by diverting your thoughts away from your pain.

Once you reduce your body's pain and stress level responses, you will feel better. Plus, if you are less anxious and more aware of your whole body and your current feelings, then you become more relaxed. The more relaxed you are, the more your pain will reduce.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Programs

When you suffer from chronic pain, you often develop negative ideas and feelings about your body and the pain you feel. For example, you might be resistant to doing exercises or activities which could improve your condition because you worry that they will increase your pain levels. 

Here, your fear of short-term pain prevents you from taking steps that could reduce your long-term pain. You might feel depressed about your condition and your ability to improve it. Your mental health might start to suffer.

Patients who have cognitive behavior therapy often find it easier to improve their ability to manage their pain. This therapy, which works well in a virtual reality program, reconditions the way you think by using techniques such as guided imagery.

Here, a program could help you identify negative beliefs and feelings. You then work through image-based exercises and programs to change the way you feel. If you can change your mindset and find ways to control negative thoughts, then you create a positive focus on learning the skills you need to improve your pain now and into the future.

To find out more, talk to your doctor about at-home therapeutic virtual reality solutions.

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