Video Games for Healing?

Okay, when I first heard this I thought it was simply a ploy to argue the positive side of the always popular gaming argument. However, after many discussions with professionals in the medical field, it appears that this is not actually a ploy, but moreover a growing reality in the healing community.
First lets go back in time to the original video games, which had mind numbing colors, poor graphics, and cords barely long enough to reach that tired overworked couch. The games started quite simple in nature, primarily focusing on hand eye coordination, and seemingly hypnotic sound effects. As the years went on the generations of youth evolved into something different than previous generations had ever seen, nor expected. Wild and bizarre hair styles, and colors, facial, and other jewelry, tatoos, unique fashion statements, and an almost entirely redesigned language, to name a few.
Reacting to this evolving generation, were the awestruck parents looking for a reason for the changing youth, their new habbits, and behaviors. They looked for something that was far different from their own youth...Video games...it must be the video games. Whether or not this is the reality behind the changes I will not choose a side in this argument, you may do so at the end of this article if you like.
Instead we will move forward and talk about the game producers. The video game producers enjoying the popularity of their efforts realized their primarily youth market, and wanting to retain and increase their market share continued to improve, develop, and market their products to a much broader audience. Today this video game evolution could not be much more apparent as it is reaching the furthest boundaries of plausibility...Healing.
Let's get to the heart of this topic, the reality of the healing ability of a video game, is it true, or is it the mythical diamond hidden in the mist of an undiscovered land. Are you sitting down because it is TRUE, and becoming more widespread as new applications are discovered, and implimented. The truth is that the video games evolved to a level which most would not have been able to fathom. These video games are reaching areas of stature and respect as a functional instrument in our day to day lives.
Healing abilities?, what are they?. Well there are several, everything from basic excercise to repetitive therapy, coordination excercises to mind challenging. Excercise?, Yes. The present video games are becomming highly interactive, and many require physical movement, even mimic real movements to play. The days of a video game creating, or embracing a couch potatoe are dwindling. Games such as the Nitendo Wii use hand held controllers used to mimic various actions like swinging a tennis raquet, golf club, or baseball bat. Little Johnny doesn't have anyone to play catch with, well he can play catch, or swing a bat on his Wii, uncle Joe always throws out his back during his first golf game because the winters are too long in Denver, now he can practice and stay in shape with his video game during the winter months.
Further to the basics, these modern games like the Nitendo Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3 , are being used in practical medical situations. Some examples include physiotherapy, and memory therapy. If you have broken your wrist, don't be suprised if your physiotherapy includes playing tennis on a video game console, or if when you visit your elderly relative they are playing memory games on a video console, there are many more examples but the reality is that video games have reached a new plateau and likely will no longer be the scapegoat for all the worlds problems.
I am not trying to condone the people who only want to sit on the couch and live in a dream world, this is not a healthy alternative, nor a recommended lifestyle. Instead get out and enjoy some sunshine, but don't feel guilty about playing a few games preferrably with family and/or friends.