Well, my right hand is aching from an accidental bump last night when I had my splint off. Mirror therapy is AMAZING! I am tricking my brain through illusion. My brain regrows new nuerons telling my body that my hand is not sore. The affect is almost
immediate pain relief! I have learned that the pain from the CRPS (not the injury site pain) is caused by sympathetic nerves telling me I need to protect that hand even though the injury pain is less than the CRPS pain.
Sympathetic response is similar
to how we yawn when we see someone else yawn. I love that God has so much for me to learn here about my fears!
Fears are learned. We have injuries in life that hurt us terribly (sexual abuse, gossip, divorce, death...) but 'emotional/social' Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome occurs over time when our brain tries to over-protect. The long-term damage if not addressed and retrained, is permanant loss of function and at times amputation.
Through Jesus we have access to mirror therapy. We place our injury
within the box of his life and look into the reflection of a perfect us created in his perfect image. We become healed by seeing the truth of what he reflects. He is perfect and whole and lived our example to follow. Even when is hurts, we can know that the
pain is sympathetic only and we don't have to fear it causing more damage.
Part of me is terrified that my hand will remain this way for the rest of my life. The reflection of my hand seen through the eyes of God tells me that even if the physical
injury is permanently damaged, it will only remain so for his glory - in my life as his follower. If he gets more glory by healing it, I would praise him as much. He is in control.
And as I wait to hear about the land for the Pilgrim's Progress...I
will do my exercises in front of the mirror with my eyes fixed on his reflection.