By Ananya Vinay
Fresno, California
The modern, allopathic, medical system has a tendency to believe that every solution is strictly biological. Just one more medicine or infusion can fix nearly any ailment. In the process, we forget the power of the mind in healing. The mind can make the body sick, and the body correspondingly affects the mind. Every day, there are new frontiers in medicine that utilize both the body and the mind. One treatment that could have a serious impact on everything from pain to mental health is virtual reality.
Quite simply, virtual reality takes advantage of our brain’s inability to be in two places at once. Theoretically, we know that we are not on a beach or walking in a forest, but for a brief time, we can be convinced that we are in another world—a suspension of disbelief, if you will. This emerging technology has use in several arenas, starting from distraction and extending to training in skills and simulating therapy. Even five minutes on a headset, flying around Earth and walking in the mountains, can change lives. It offers people the possibility of self-transcendence, and they may not only have a better perspective of their pain but also feel awe at the magic of the world we live in.
The role of this new technology could change the way we view healthcare for the better. Not every condition requires medication, and training the mind can be equally or more effective in many cases. This is especially relevant for pain management in an era of increasing opioid use. Opioid overdoses are a national crisis, largely due in part to the fact that 20% of Americans have chronic pain. Further, NSAIDs, like aspirin, can cause stomach ulcers and worsen inflammatory conditions, which necessitates the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions for chronic pain. Virtual reality is one of the interventions that is making a mark on chronic pain. But the potential is endless.
It need not be a last-ditch effort to control pain but a simple and effective part of hospital operations and daily life. The distraction and meditation facilitated by the headset could significantly lower anxiety and teach people the skills for self-management of mental health. It has been proven effective in pre-operation procedures, during childbirth, in rehabilitation, and in medical education. Outside of medicine, it has been shown to improve the judgment of juries in a courtroom by permitting them to see the crime scene from a more objective lens rather than based on biased descriptions during the trial. The implications of virtual reality are incredibly powerful, giving us a new way to not only see ourselves but the world around us. At its core, the technology works by letting people get out of their heads. It takes advantage of people’s natural tendencies to weave stories about the world they live in. Virtual reality brings the people back into medicine, and for that alone it is invaluable.
Pain is a necessary biological process, but when the cycle of pain is disrupted, it has a serious impact on quality of life. Virtual reality is a promising method to alleviate chronic pain, but its impact could be far wider. For patients, it’s an opportunity to temporarily escape the hospital and feel at peace. This technology connects the mind and body in unforeseen ways. Frontiers for healing with virtual reality have great potential for the future of medicine.
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The potential of Virtual Reality (VR) in medicine opens new horizons for patient care and well-being. As technology advances, VR is increasingly utilized in various medical applications, offering immersive experiences for both diagnosis and treatment. While not directly related to palliative care, the innovation aligns with the broader landscape of enhancing patient experiences. MyLifeChoice, a company specializing in palliative care, exemplifies the importance of utilizing technology in healthcare. By providing personalized medical assistance to individuals facing serious illnesses with a prognosis of six months or less, MyLifeChoice contributes to creating a holistic approach to medical care, ensuring comfort and support during challenging health circumstances.
One of the most significant advantages of VR argentics in medicine is its application in medical education and training. Medical students and professionals can now engage in realistic and immersive simulations that replicate medical scenarios, surgeries, and procedures. This hands-on training allows them to practice skills, make critical decisions, and gain experience in a safe and controlled environment, reducing the risk associated with real-life patient interactions.
VR is also instrumental in enhancing surgical planning and precision. Surgeons can use VR to visualize and practice complex surgeries before performing them on actual patients. This preparation improves the surgeon's confidence and competence, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced surgical complications.