PAGE CONTENTS
(1) Brief overview
(2) Recommendations for getting started with guided imagery
(3) Articles about guided imagery for pain management
(4) Guided imagery resources
(1) Brief overview: Guided Imagery is a technique that can be used to harness the power of the human imagination to influence mental and physical well-being. It involves listening to a narration that stimulates your imagination. Guided imagery is regarded by some to be a form of hypnosis. It can be administered by a health professional or via recordings, and can also be self-administered. There is research evidence that the use of guided imagery can reduce stress and anxiety, and may be helpful in reducing the perceived intensity of pain.
For those who are skeptical about the positive power of guided imagery, consider how powerful imagery can be in influencing negative states of mind, such as anxiety and anger. If just imagining upsetting situations can cause these emotions, why would imagining pleasant situations be any less powerful?
(2) Recommendations for getting started with guided imagery
(A) Read more about the use of guided imagery for pain at the links below (in section 3 of this page)
(B) Listen to a free online audio recording of a guided imagery exercise for pain (see section 4 of this page)
(3) Articles about guided imagery for pain management
Raising Pain Tolerance Using Guided Imagery, By David E. Bresler, PhD, LAc.
What is guided imagery? [From Health Journeys]
Overview of guided imagery, by Andrew Weill, MD
(4) Guided imagery resources: Follow this link for more information about guided imagery, as well as links to free online recordings.
Guided Imagery Podcasts: From Kaiser Permanente, and produced by Belleruth Naparstek of Health Journeys. This site has several guided imagery recordings, including for pain, fibromyalgia and fatigue, and headaches. Also, the more general relaxation recordings could be helpful.
Guided Imagery Practices: From the Center for Integrative Health and Wellness, at Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University. Includes recordings for pain, as well as general relaxation and other themes.
Audio CD: Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief: Guided Practices for Reclaiming Your Body and Your Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
More guided imagery resources can be found in the relaxation skills section of this website.