Guided imagery is used to aid healing for any illness or condition imaginable. The human mind can be guided with the use of visualization to aid, if not fully affect, the healing process. Advocates contend that guided imagery has healing benefits for pain management and for reversal of illness. Holistic Online claims that, although guided imagery does not always cure illness, the experience can benefit as many as ninety percent of patients who seek traditional Western medical solutions.
History
According to Holistic Online, nearly every culture has recognized the value of guided imagery in the healing process. Navajo Indians visualize themselves as healthy to aid recovery from illness. Conversely, ancient Greeks and Egyptians believed that one could become ill by visualizing illness. No less an authority than the Mayo Clinic advocates the effectiveness of guided imagery. The Mayo Clinic affirms what Aristotle and Hippocrates knew---images introduced to the brain "enliven the heart and body." The Mayo Clinic newsletter refers to research, which shows guided imagery enables patients to access the "full range of the body's healing capacity."
Function
The idea of images is not limited to what the mind can "see." Images include sounds, tastes, touch, and smell. Most people recognize the power of scent to transport oneself to a time long ago. Similarly, music is an effective memory and learning aid. Holistic Online suggests thinking about a lemon. Visualize holding the lemon. Feel its texture. Look closely at its color. Imagine the juice droplets as you slice the lemon in half. Lift one half and squeeze the fruit. See the drops of lemon explode in the air. Smell the clean bitter aroma. Now, bite into the lemon. The thought literally is mouth-watering. Such is the power of guided imagery. The same type of guidance can be given to visualize healthy white and red blood cells overcoming cancerous cells in afflicted parts of the body. Holistic Online explains that images communicate information to the body. While spoken language is linear and is an ineffective means of communication with the body, images are a biological connection with the mind-body.
Applications
The Mayo Clinic confirms the benefits of guided imagery. Guided imagery reduces the effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Guided imagery is effective for reducing preoperative anxiety. The Mayo Clinic claims studies show patients who participate in guided imagery sessions require less pain medication and are released earlier from the hospital than patients who do not participate in guided imagery. Guided imagery reduces stress and may help to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.
Principles
Health Journeys describes the guiding principles of guided imagery. The first principle is the mind-body connection. The body interprets as real what the mind imagines. The second principle is the altered state. Guided imagery creates an altered state. The mind and body enter into deep relaxation. In this state, the body is capable of intensified healing. The third principle of guided imagery is locus of control. According to this factor, recognized in medical literature, when a person believes he is in control, he often experiences relief based on the heightened sense of control.
Tips
Health Journeys advises that guided imagery is most effective in certain controlled environments. Create a sense of permission to feel and experience without judgment. The environment must be relaxed. At the same time, be willing to "go with the flow." There are as many ways to experience guided imagery as there are people to experience it. Allow images to come from within. Images not aligned with a person's value system will jangle and have no benefit. Such images may cause harm. If guided by images you do not accept, do not allow the session to continue. Guided imagery is most effective when all of the senses are activated. According to Health Journeys, only half the population adequately visualizes. Therefore, kinesthetic (sense of touch) is the most important sense for effective guided imagery. If possible, experience guided imagery as part of a group. Altered state is contagious. Accompany guided imagery with music that resonates with the experience.
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