Mirror therapy for the 21st century enabled by Prism Glasses.
Instructions for use
- Please read these instructions carefully before using the prism glasses and retain them within the packaging for future reference as it contains important information. If you are not sure of anything please contact a qualified healthcare professional. Prism glasses are a medical device for the treatment and rehabilitation of various conditions such as stroke, phantom limb pain and complex regional pain syndrome; this treatment is commonly called mirror therapy.
The prism glasses should be used only in accordance with these instructions or as directed by your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional. - Sit comfortably on a secure chair
- Remove rings or watches if you are treating hand or arm pain or weakness. If you are treating leg pain or weakness, remove your shoes and socks so that your toes are easily visible.
Make sure the prism is clean using a lint free soft cloth, taking care not to scratch the prism. - Put the Prism Glasses on as you would a normal pair of glasses, with the prism positioned over the eye which is on the same side as the unaffected limb.
For example, if your left arm or leg is painful, affected by a stroke or amputated, look through the prism with the right eye at your right arm or leg, remember it will appear as you are seeing your left hand / arm / foot, your affected limb will appear ‘normal’. This may take a little bit of practice.
Make sure that you are only looking at your unaffected limb through the prism; you should see only one limb. - Perform the exercises prescribed by your healthcare professional for the agreed time, for example, 10 minute sessions, 3 times a day or more if required, up to a maximum of 12 times per day and no longer than 10 minutes per hour. The following exercises are often useful;
i. making a fist and relaxing the hand in time with the other
ii. wiggling the fingers / toes in time with each other
iii. moving the wrist / ankle in time with the other
iv. bending the arm / leg in time with the other
For stroke rehabilitation or limb pain
For example, if you are treating the hand, place both hands on a table and try to make a fist with both hands in the same way at the same time, and then relax them together. If you are treating the foot, bend and relax both ankles in the same direction at the same time. Make sure you can only see you unaffected limb through the prism.
For phantom limb pain or extreme weakness
As above but imagine that you are performing the exercises with your amputated or immobile limb whilst performing the exercises with your unaffected limb.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to do these exercises with BOTH LIMBS, at the SAME TIME, and in the SAME RHYTHM. Only moving the unaffected limb may make the condition worse.
- Once you have completed about 5 minutes of gentle exercises, turn the glasses over so that you are looking at the unaffected limb through the prism with the other eye. You will need to gently move your head to the left or right to look at the unaffected limb. Doing this allows both sides of your brain to experience the effect.
What to expect
When you do the exercises, you will probably experience different sensations in your affected hand, arm or leg. These sensations may well feel unusual, especially when you first start; they are part of the process of the therapy. The sensations you will experience should be pleasant, even if they are unusual or new to you.
If you experience unpleasant sensations, dizziness or feel sick or unwell whilst using the prism glasses simply stop exercising and remove the prism glasses. These symptoms should gradually disappear much like motion sickness; if they persist seek medical advice from your doctor.
Warnings
ONLY use prism glasses when sitting on a secure and non-mobile seat; do NOT use whilst driving or operating machinery. Replace the prism glasses in the package to avoid damage. If the glasses are dropped or accidentally damaged inspect the glasses for sharp edges and ensure that the prism is securely mounted in the frame. Do NOT use if the prism glasses will be in contact with skin where the surface of the skin is breached, e.g. cut or scratched nose or ear. If a rash appears where the prism glasses have contacted your skin or you experience any sort of allergic reaction to the prism glasses discontinue use and seek medical advice. Once treatment has completed, dispose of the prism glasses within the packaging in the normal house hold waste.
For further information or enquiries please contact info@prismglasses.co.uk or phone 0141 248 7334
Scottish Health Innovations Ltd., 206 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5SG.
UK Patent No 2452204B