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there, and this is called phantom limb syndrome. Unfortunately, these hallucinatory limbs can become painful, and too often are unresponsive to standard pain medications and treatment. Recent promising research, however, is bringing relief for some suffering with phantom limb pain by using mirrors reflecting the real limb in order to teach the amputee to unclench or relax the phantom limb.
• Imagine that! When there is loss, the human brain fills in with phantom images, sounds, and limbs. And even though they are not part of the real world, they are real to our minds and we need to deal with them.
• Dr. Rick Holm wrote this editorial for "On Call®," a weekly program where medical professionals discuss health concerns for the general public.  "On Call®" is produced by the Healing Words Foundation in association with the South Dakota State University Journalism Department. "On Call®" airs Thursdays on South Dakota Public Broadcasting-Television at 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain.