Phantom limb

The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons written by Sam Kean is a collection of stories throughout history that depicts the discovery, symptoms, and shifts in the fundamental understanding of the brain and brain injuries. Within the pages of this book, Kean does a masterful job explaining the intricacies of the brain, providing captivating stories to stimulate the reader, all while encapsulating valuable information on the brain. The book is written from a scientific perspective, invoking brain…

individual knows there is a hand there, yet “that he does know takes some shewing [showing]” (Wittgenstein 14). Anything as far as a simple sensation should not be considered from of a hand existing. Sensations can be easily confused, for instance phantom limb pain. Consequently, sensations cannot be relied upon to prove the existence of an object. The statement “I know” entails that one has fundamental grounds of knowledge to base their statement from, excluding sensations and other body…

Phantom limb pain is defined as “pain perceived by the region of the body no longer present” (Subedi & Grossberg, 2011, p.1). This type of pain can be described as “shooting, severe burning, ischemic or crushing in nature or severe from…the limb being in a hyper-extended or unnatural position.” (Chapman, 2010, p. 35). Phantom limb sensation is the “nonpainful sensations experienced in the body part that no longer exist…phantom sensations are touch and pressure-like sensations.” (Subedi &…

discusses the applications of brain plasticity. Some of these include restoration of vision, recovery from brain injury and working of Brain Computer Interface and sensory prostheses implants. Plasticity could also provide more information on Phantom Limbs, effects of meditation and veracity of claims of brain apps. APPLICATIONS OF BRAIN PLASTICITY On-going research has very well established that neural connections…

The Fabulous 5 Contributing Members: Jose Herrera, Kaci Stilson, Kristen Kuhr, Joanna Ramos, Zachary Buck 1) Etiology/Pathogenesis of Phantom Limb Syndrome In order to understand a little about Phantom limb syndrome, we must first understand normal function of a body intact and its sensory and motor pathway. The body uses electrical impulses in the form of chemical exchanges in the neurons, or nerve cells, to pass along information. Normal body function indicates that as the extremity (upper or…

1 million people with an amputated limb in the United States of America. About 185,000 people have an amputation each year and about 300 to 500 a day. Many people with amputated limbs have phantom pains. There are many questions about phantom pains such as what they are, who discovered them, what causes them, and how are they treated. Phantom pains are pains that come from body parts that have been amputated. Not everyone with an amputated limb will have phantom pains, but eight out of ten…

Ramachandran begins his book with snippets of peculiar medical cases. The stories are fascinating because the brain is fragile, yet strong; damage to a particular part of the brain can lead to the expression of an odd behavior, yet the person can remain rational. Ramachandran (1998) expresses that these type of cases usually do not get much attention from doctors (i.e., neurologists and psychiatrists) and there has not been much investigation about the causes of their behaviors (p. 2). However,…

In this paper, we will discuss phantom limb pain (PLP) and propose an alternate form of treatment for PLP using prosthetic limbs. We will discuss two key ways in which prosthetics can be improved—through the use of 3D printed materials and the integration of electrical input and feedback systems—and refitted as PLP treatment. We will also describe the practical advantages of using prosthetics as a form of medical treatment and provide criticism of currently used treatment methods, such as mirror…

Paresthesia is not a disease, but a symptom of a condition that may be temporary or long-lasting. Paresthesia is a common symptom that refers to a prickling or burning sensation in some parts of the body, usually the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These can also occur in other body parts of the body. This unusual sensation, often happens without warning, and is typically painless. It may occur suddenly or gradually, but sometimes it may come and go. Other descriptions for paresthesia include…

Because stealing was unlawful, people didn't have to be worried about all of their stuff being stolen. If honesty wasn't prohibited, lots of people would be lying and the society they had been living in would be a more questionable place of uncertainty. Since adultery was unaccepted in their society, people wouldn't have to be worried about getting sexually transmitted diseases, and wouldn't lose their spouse's trust. Respect was another great thing that shaped up the Babylonian society, and it…