| 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:
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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.
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