Bookmark This Page Email This Page Print This Page

Imagery

Imagery

What is imagery?

The mind is a powerful healing tool. Using our imagination, we can visualize almost anything. Imagery (or visualization) is a therapeutic technique that has been used for centuries. By creating images in the mind, a person can reduce pain and symptoms associated with their condition.

Imagery usually involves a program with set objectives and goals. Patients are guided to visualize their goals and work toward them.

Two imagery techniques are widely used today:

  • Palming - involves the visualization of color. The patient places his/her palms over the eyes and envisions the color associated with stress (usually the color red). Then, the patient changes the color he/she sees to a more relaxing color, such as blue. It is believed that changing colors in the mind induces relaxation.
  • Guided imagery - involves envisioning a certain goal to help cope with health problems. An example is the Simonton method - a method in which a cancer patient imagines Pac Men (from the old Pac Man video game) gobbling up bad cancer cells.

Studies have also shown that imagery can help to improve relaxation.

Click here to view the
Online Resources of Complementary & Alternative Medicine