Overview
RelieVRx is a prescription virtual reality (VR) program you use at home for chronic low back pain. It comes with a VR headset. Each day, you put on the headset for a short session that teaches skills to help you manage pain, such as relaxation, breathing, mindfulness and ways to change how you respond to pain. The program lasts about 8 weeks. RelieVRx is drug-free and can be used along with your other care. It may help some adults with chronic low back pain. Results vary, and it needs a prescription.
What it is
RelieVRx is made by AppliedVR and is authorized by the FDA as a prescription medical device for adults with chronic low back pain. It is a digital therapy, not a medicine or a procedure.
The program is built on skills used in pain psychology, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills: noticing and changing thoughts and habits that can make pain worse
- Relaxation and breathing: calming the body's stress response
- Mindfulness: focusing attention in a helpful way
- Pain education: learning how chronic pain works
Sessions use calming 3D scenes, guided lessons and exercises.
Who it's for
RelieVRx may help adults who have:
- Chronic low back pain (pain lasting more than 3 months)
- A wish to add a drug-free option to their care
- Pain that has not improved enough with other treatments, or who want to build pain-management skills alongside therapy, medicines or procedures
- The ability to use a headset at home for short daily sessions
What the program involves, step by step
- Visit: our physicians review your back pain, history and current care, and decide whether RelieVRx may fit you.
- Prescription: if it fits, we write a prescription. The headset and program are then sent to you.
- Setup: you set up the headset at home. Instructions and support are included.
- Daily sessions: you use the program once a day. Sessions are short, roughly 2 to 16 minutes each, and you can sit or stand.
- About 8 weeks: the program runs for about 8 weeks, with new lessons and skills along the way.
- Follow-up: we check in on your pain, sleep and daily activity and talk about next steps in your care.
Recovery and what to expect
There is no recovery time, because there is no procedure. Things to expect:
- Some people feel mild motion sickness, dizziness, eye strain or headache while using VR. Taking breaks and sitting down can help.
- Using the program every day matters. Skipping sessions may reduce any benefit.
- Changes, if they happen, tend to build over the weeks of the program. Some people notice little or no change.
- You can keep your other treatments, such as physical therapy, medicines or procedures, unless your physician says otherwise.
Candidacy: who may or may not be a good fit
May be a good fit: adults with chronic low back pain who want a drug-free, at-home option and can commit to short daily sessions for about 8 weeks.
May not be a good fit: people with a history of seizures or epilepsy, severe motion sickness, certain eye or vision problems, a skin problem or injury on the face where the headset rests, or who cannot safely use a headset. Back pain with "red flag" signs, such as new weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever or unexplained weight loss, needs urgent evaluation before you start.
Risks in brief
RelieVRx is drug-free and does not involve a procedure. Possible side effects include motion sickness, nausea, dizziness, eye strain, headache and, rarely, seizures in people who are prone to them. Use the program in a clear, safe space to avoid trips or falls. Pain may not improve.
Alternatives
Other options may include physical therapy and exercise, pain psychology or CBT with a therapist, medicines, injections, radiofrequency ablation, Intracept for some types of back pain, restorative neurostimulation or spinal cord stimulation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription?
Yes. RelieVRx is a prescription device. Our physicians will decide whether it may fit your care.
How long are the sessions?
Sessions are short, roughly 2 to 16 minutes, once a day, over about 8 weeks.
Is RelieVRx a medicine?
No. It is a drug-free virtual reality program that teaches pain-management skills.
Can I keep my other treatments?
Yes. RelieVRx can be used along with other care, unless your physician says otherwise.
What if VR makes me dizzy?
Some people feel mild motion sickness or dizziness. Sit down, take a break and let us know if it continues.
Does insurance pay for RelieVRx?
Coverage varies by plan. Please call 732-202-3000 so our team can check your benefits.
Insurance
GSMC participates with all Aetna plans, including Aetna HMO, and with many other insurance plans. Coverage for a specific procedure depends on your plan and may need prior authorization; call 732-202-3000 to verify. Our team can help check your benefits before treatment. Coverage for RelieVRx varies by plan. Please call 732-202-3000 so our team can check your benefits.
Book an appointment
One phone number for all 7 GSMC offices in Ocean and Monmouth County.
Our offices
- Whiting
- Toms River (1314 Hooper Ave)
- Brick
- Barnegat
- Manahawkin
- Freehold (322 Professional View Dr)
- West Long Branch
Telehealth visits are available for second opinions and imaging reviews only, by phone. Please call 732-202-3000 to book one.
This page is general patient education and does not replace advice from your own clinician. Individual results vary, and no outcome can be promised.