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Today’s topic for Monday Chat: What’s Your Favorite Game That Distracts You From Pain?
I wrote recently about video games decreasing pain. Esther, a reader, asked what games other people find helpful to bring their focus away from pain. Do you play any games to help make yourself more comfortable? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Other games I’ve written about before include Wii, juggling, and virtual reality.
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2 responses so far ↓
EEJ // Jul 30, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I don’t have chronic pain but I ran across your article(s) regarding using the Nintendo Wii to treat chronic pain.
I wanted to make sure you knew about the new Wii Balance Board and the game called Wii Fit that comes with it.
The balance board is very sturdy and connects wirelessly to the Nintendo Wii.
The Wii Fit game that comes with it actually has about 40 different games included, in 4 different areas: Yoga (about 20 different yoga poses), Strength Training (push-ups, leg lifts, etc.), Aerobics (like hula hooping, jogging in place, rythym boxing) and balance games (downhill skiing, soccerball heading, etc.)
I’m a 30yo male who has never been into exercising, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve spent less time being active. This has given me a fun way to be more active while still getting to play video games (much like Wii Sports did when I first got the Wii).
The main drawback to the Wii Fit that I have found is that although the system can detect your weight and balance, it really cannot tell you that you are doing the exercises incorrectly. For instance, when doing a yoga pose, it will measure your balance overall, but it has no way of knowing if you are in the correct pose, or are twisting your body in a dangerous way.
My solution to this is to only do new exercises (you unlock new games as you progress along) when my wife is around, so I can have her check my posture and such.
The balance board is $90 on top of the cost of the Wii, but comes with the Wii Fit game included. It would definitely be worth a look for anyone wanting to get more exercise, if for no other reason than you are standing up rather than sitting down.
How to Cope with Pain // Jul 30, 2008 at 3:37 pm
EEJ, great info. I’ve seen this advertised, but haven’t tried it yet.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if video games, which originally got everyone sitting too long, now become an answer to get everyone moving again!
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