In the last ten years, I’ve become increasingly passionate about the subject of the mind-body connection. It is one of the things that inspired me to start this site, because I feel that achieving fitness and health goals, and attaining the body you want, starts with the mind. That is why I was excited to interview Dr. Shahram Jacobs, again, about the recent research done with stroke victims, which I feel truly highlights the power the brain has over our bodies, and even over the unhealthy parts of the brain itself!!

Suzy: Thanks for lending me your brain to help explain this brain research, because although the stroke aspect won’t apply to most of my readers, I believe that what it teaches us about the brain can truly empower every woman (or man) if that power is employed in other health pursuits. When I heard about this research, I thought of you, because you are so well versed in the mind-body connection.

Dr. Jacobs: Suzy, you always have great ideas for topics, and this one is up there with the rest! I am happy to enlighten you and your readers.

Suzy: Let’s get right to it. What is the brief explanation of mirror therapy and then we can talk about how it can relate to weight issues.

Dr. Jacobs: Mirror therapy is actually cutting edge in regards to stroke treatment.  The idea is actually simple but ingenious; basically you have a box with two openings, one for each limb (hand for example).  Inside the box there are two mirrors, one facing each way, and the top of the box is open to allow a clear view from any angle.  When a subject places his or her hands into the box and views the mirror on the side of the functioning hand (limb) from a certain angle and makes movements with that limb, it appears as if both limbs are synchronously making the same movements.  

Suzy: I’m feeling dyslexic from the explanation.

Dr. Jacobs: If you see it done, it’s easier to understand, but the gist of it is that the brain is tricking itself into thinking all the limbs are healthy and capable of moving - even when they have not been - up to that point. Or at least, have seemed not to be capable of much movement.

Suzy: And then the body actually carries this image out - turns it into reality - by making the limb start moving again?

Dr. Jacobs: Yes, but limbs do what the brain tells them to do, so it is more like the brain has told itself - the healthy part of the brain- that the body parts it controls are capable of it, and that part of the brain somehow transmits the message to the limbs to make it happen.

Suzy: It almost sounds like voodoo science.

Dr. Jacobs: Yes, but conceived by V.S. Ramachandran, Director of the Centre for Brain and Cognition, and Professor with the Psychology Department and the Neurosciences Program at the University of California, San Diego. 

Suzy: Okay….maybe don’t tell him I called it voodoo science. What happens when the people use the mirror box?

Dr. Jacobs: When patients repeat this routine several times a day for several weeks stroke patients have shown some dramatic functional improvement of the affected limb. And amputee patients have had significantly decreased phantom limb pain.

Suzy: Has science figured out how this is possible?

Dr. Jacobs: The exact mechanism is not known, but there are some interesting hypotheses.  One hypothesis is that, since the brain reorganizes itself on a continuing basis, when a limb is either amputated or paralyzed, part of the brain is unable to process the injury/loss.  Therefore, as time passes, there is an increasing amount of asynchrony in the brain and the map or image it has of itself…. 

Suzy: Wait. Stop for a second. The part about the brain reorganizing itself on a continuing basis…I just had a thought that could apply to weight loss. On the positive side, it would seem to mean that we could retrain our brain to see ourselves as fit even if we are not. But on the other hand, if there is asynchrony in the thought that “I could be lean,” with the image that one has of herself as a heavy person, I’m wondering if this quality of the brain would be an impediment to losing weight? 

Dr. Jacobs: It is an interesting question. But one thing is for sure. Mirror therapy is a perfect example of the brain seeing itself healed and therefore transforming that belief into reality. Therefore, it is plausible that someone could employ the technique or overall methodology of the science for other types of body goals. 

Suzy: Like a funhouse mirror from a carnival in our bedrooms…..

Dr. Jacobs: (laughing)

Suzy: I keep a photo on my fridge of my head attached to Brooke Burke’s body in a bikini. I swear I’ve gotten tighter abs, and am leaner overall, since taping it up there. I thought it just motivated me to choose healthy snacks when I went to the fridge, but maybe the effect on my brain is a version of this mirror imagery stuff. My mind associating me - my face - with that body - seeing myself as more fit and then my muscles complying with the image? It hasn’t yet worked for the height and bigger boobs, though.

Dr. Jacobs: (laughing) As with the amputees, no mind exercise or technique can bring back an amputated limb. 

Suzy: Thanks, doctor, for shattering my dreams of mirror-imaging myself into a bigger cup size. You are the ultimate professional - bringing us back from boobs to the science of mirror therapy. 

Dr. Jacobs: I do want to point out that with mirror therapy, the mind doesn’t have to work too hard, because the eyes are doing all the work and are the main source behind the changes produced in the body. 

Suzy: Connect the dots for me on that. I mean, the brain has to process what the eyes see…

Dr. Jacobs: Well, what I would like to clarify for the readers -the point I’m making- is that they can have as dramatic an effect on many aspects of their lives and health by training their mind to do the same thing the eyes are doing in mirror therapy. 

Suzy: So, are you saying they don’t actually need to physically view the real morphed image of themselves on Brooke Burke’s body, they could just imagine it in their mind’s eye? Is that what you are getting at? 

Dr. Jacobs: Maybe that’s a good way to put it. Limb functionality is on one end of the spectrum, but point being,  with regular meditation and mindfulness exercises, which we can elaborate on another time, people can produce dramatic, and even miraculous, positive changes in other areas of their health and daily lives, without a mirrored box. 

Suzy: I love that word, miraculous. When you think about it, what a cool thing that a change so amazing or transforming or powerful seems like a miracle yet is within the realm of our own control if we choose to harness the power.  This mirror stuff clinches it for me. Thank you SO much for helping us understand this stuff! I can’t wait for my next interview with you!

Dr. Shahram Jacobs runs an internal medical practice in Encino, California and has studied mind-body medicine extensively, and is currently writing a book on the topic. His contact information is:

16133 Ventura Blvd #370, Encino, CA 91436 

Tel: (818) 981-1555