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What is Imagery or Guided Imagery?
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How does Imagery Therapy work?
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How is Imagery useful in the
medical setting?
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What are some of the positive
results I can expect from using Imagery prior to, or during, a
medical procedure?
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Is there a best time and place to
do imagery?
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When should I avoid doing Imagery?
Q:
What is Imagery or Guided Imagery?
A: Imagery is purposeful daydreaming;
using your imagination at its best. Thoughts, feelings and
the senses work together to create an awareness of what the
person is imagining. Sometimes a person is able to "see"
images with their imagination, called visualization.
Guided Imagery is simply following the guides' directions or
suggestions while doing imagery.
Q:
How does Imagery work?
A: The mind and body are interconnected.
What the mind imagines or perceives, creates an immediate
response in the body. For example, when a person thinks of
something frightening, the body responds with increased heart
rate, shallow respiration, tightened muscles, increased blood
pressure, etc. You may also feel afraid.
Q:
How is Imagery useful in the
medical setting?
A: Research
indicates that a person's attitude and expectations about surgery,
a treatment, medication, or medical procedure may have significant
impact on the outcome. Numerous scientific studies have
shown that imagery is a very effective tool for eliciting the
relaxation response. In a therapy session with a trained
healthcare provider, the patient can learn cognitive restructuring
to "reframe" fears and negative thoughts into positive ones.
Research has shown that for every $1.00 spent on this type of
self-care education, $2.50 is saved in medical costs.
Patients using therapies like imagery, experience many of the
results discussed in the
Hypnotherapy
Benefits section.
Q:
What are some of the positive
results I can expect from using Imagery prior to, or during, a
medical procedure?
A:
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The ability to release fear and
anxiety about the procedure, even related to past negative
experiences
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Personal empowerment and a
sense of mastery in a difficult situation
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Increased calm, peace of mind
and positive energy
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Active participation in my
health care, resulting in a stronger partnership with my
healthcare team
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Less blood loss during and
after surgery
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Better pain management
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Faster healing with fewer
complications such as infection
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Being more comfortable going
into and coming out of anesthesia, usually requiring less
anesthesia
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Fewer and diminished
side-effects from chemotherapy and radiation therapy
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Often relieves insomnia without
medication
Q:
Is there a best time and place to
do imagery?
A: Imagery
done to prepare for a procedure will be most effective if done
at a time of day when you feel rested, so as not to fall asleep.
Imagery to reduce pain, as a sleep aid, or to reduce treatment
side-effects can be done anytime in a quiet place, free of
distractions and interruptions. It is helpful to have an
area and time set aside that you go to regularly to do imagery.
You will find that the more you practice, the easier and more
effective the imagery becomes. People often find that
imagery works well in a recliner or easy chair.
Q:
When should I avoid doing Imagery?
A: Imagery, and using
relaxation/meditation audio tapes and CDs, should never be done while
driving a vehicle or operating machinery. Because imagery
enables you to be in a deep relaxed state of mind, your focus will
not be on operating the vehicle or machinery.
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