Questions people ask before starting Karuna

Karuna works with a range of chronic pain conditions where the nervous system plays a major role — including chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia, neck and shoulder pain, CRPS, phantom limb pain, and neuropathic pain.

The honest answer for your case comes from the free consultation and physician review, which screen every patient before treatment starts. If the program isn't a fit for your condition, you'll be told so.

It's real — because the pain was always real. Chronic pain is produced by a nervous system that has learned to be overprotective, and VR embodiment training targets that learning directly: repeated experiences of safe, comfortable movement give the brain evidence to turn the alarm down. That's the same mechanism behind pain reprocessing therapy and graded exposure, both supported by a growing research base.

Distraction fades the moment the headset comes off. Retraining is designed to change how your pain system responds — in the headset and out of it.

None. The headset arrives pre-configured, the exercises are built for complete beginners, and your pain coach walks you through setup and your first sessions. Many Karuna patients had never put on a VR headset before starting.

The exercises are designed to minimize motion discomfort — they're gentle, seated or standing in place, and nothing like fast-moving VR games. Most people adapt quickly, and your coach can adjust session length and content if you're sensitive. If motion sickness is a concern for you, raise it in the free consultation so the team can address it up front.

Minutes, not hours. The program is built around short daily VR practice plus one weekly one-on-one session with your pain coach. Consistency matters far more than session length — brief regular practice is how a nervous system relearns.

The program is HSA/FSA eligible, so you can pay with pre-tax health dollars. Insurance coverage varies by plan and situation, so rather than guessing, contact the team — they'll walk you through your options. The initial consultation is free either way.

Yes. Karuna is designed to complement existing care, and many patients do the program alongside PT — the approaches reinforce each other, since both expand safe movement. You don't need to change any medication to participate, and you should never adjust medication without talking to your prescriber.

It varies from person to person, and the honest framing is weeks, not days. Retraining a sensitized pain system takes repeated, consistent practice — that's why the program runs 12 weeks. Early progress often shows up as easier movement or less fear around activity before pain intensity itself drops. Your coach tracks changes with you throughout.

Karuna provides the VR headset, pre-configured and ready to use. On your end you need a small clear space to move your arms freely, a few minutes most days, and a phone or computer for weekly video sessions with your coach. No special room, sensors, or technical setup required.

Your health information is handled as part of a physician-supervised care program. For specifics about how your data is stored, used, and protected, ask the team directly — they'll give you current, complete answers rather than a summary.

Karuna backs the program with a money-back guarantee — see the terms here. Combined with the free consultation and physician screening up front, the goal is that you never have to gamble on whether this is right for you.

The program is designed for adults. Beyond age, the main requirements are that your pain is chronic (lasting beyond three months) and has been medically evaluated — the team screens every applicant for fit during the free consultation, and a physician reviews your case before treatment begins.