Our Healing Power
Copyright Nicola Elliott Lapierre 2008-2009
Mirror Therapy Protocol for Single Leg Below the Knee Amputees

Disclaimer:
The owner of this website makes no claims as to the effectiveness or safety of this protocol.  To our
knowledge it is still in the trial phase and has not been proven effective scientifically.  Use this
protocol at your own risk.  This protocol may not work for everyone.  

  • Sit in a chair or sit up in a bed with your remaining leg or legs stretched out in front of you.  
    Use a mirror that will allow you to see the full length of your remaining leg

  • Place the mirror facing your remaining leg so that you see two legs when looking at the mirror

  • Do one set of 10 of each of the exercises below - start with doing this twice per day and
    increase if you are not feeling any relief or not enough relief - eventually you may only need
    to do this two to three times per week - keep going - it may take weeks or months to get the
    relief you are looking for

  • Move your amputated leg as best you can - the aim is that your brain sees two legs moving
    because of the mirror

  • Leave out any exercise that causes you pain or discomfort until you are able to do it more
    comfortably

  1. Slowly straighten and then bend your legs at the same time
  2. Point your feet up then down, bending at the ankle
  3. Turn your toes inwards then outwards
  4. Swing your legs in then out - towards the mirror then away from it
  5. Move your knees in then out - towards the mirror then away from it
  6. Move your legs in a circle one way then reverse and move them in the other direction (this
    works best while seated in a chair)
  7. Clench your toes then unclench them


Links to Information About Mirror Therapy

American Forces Press Service - Mirror Therapy Trial for Soldiers