Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive experience in which you are completely transported into a computer-generated world. It can be used for entertainment, education, and now therapeutic pain management.
While VR is an effective tool in managing pain in clinical settings, in-home VR provides the added benefit of being able to use it in the comfort of your own home.
Here are a few tips to get the most out of in-home therapeutic VR for pain management.
Start With Shorter Sessions
When you first start using in-home VR for pain management, it is important to start with shorter sessions. This will help you get used to the experience and ensure you do not overdo it. Overdoing it can quickly worsen pain, so it is important to take it slow at first.
You also have a chance to get used to the VR environment without the added pressure of managing pain. Once you are comfortable with shorter sessions, you can gradually increase the length of time you spend in VR.
A good rule of thumb is to start with sessions that are no longer than a couple of minutes. If you find that you can manage your pain in this amount of time, then you can slowly increase the length of your sessions. The shorter sessions also help you gauge how VR affects your pain. If you find that it significantly decreases your pain, then you can gradually increase the length of your sessions.
You can also break up your VR sessions into multiple shorter sessions throughout the day. This can be especially helpful if you find that VR helps to take the edge off your pain but does not completely eliminate it.
Choose a Comfortable Position
It is important to be in a comfortable position when using in-home VR for pain management. You do not want to be in a position that will exacerbate your pain. You want to be in a position that is comfortable for you and will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the VR experience.
The environment you set up will also play a role in how comfortable you are. Make sure that you have enough space to move around and that there are no obstacles in your way.
If you're using a seated VR system, then make sure that you are in a comfortable chair with good back support. You may even want to consider using a pillow or lumbar support. From there, you can experiment with different positions to find what works best for you.
If you use a standing VR system, make sure you have enough space to move around without bumping into anything. You may also want to consider using a weight-shifting device to take some of the pressure off your feet and legs.
Take the time to find a comfortable position before starting your in-home VR session. Once you do, make sure that you stay in that position for the duration of your session. If you start to feel discomfort during your in-home VR session, then take a break and readjust your position.
For more information, contact a company like AppliedVR.
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