The Shins- Phantom Limb

Phantom limbs are phenomena in which a person continues to feel pain or sensation within a part of their body which has been amputated. An explanation for this refers to the concept of neuroplasticity, as the cortical maps of the removed limbs are believed to have become engaged with the area around them in the postcentral gyrus. This results in activity within the surrounding area of the cortex being misinterpreted by the area of the cortex formerly responsible for the amputated limb. Pain is often experienced due to the association of this area with the pain that may have been experienced by the limb before it was amputated. Much of this was discovered by neuroscientist Vilayanur S. Ramachandran, who also developed a method of treatment for it called a mirror box, again using neuroplasticity to remove the association of the limb with the surrounding cortex by providing visual feedback to make it appear that the limb is responding.