Mind-Body Medicine: Guided Imagery

What is Guided Imagery?
Did you ever wake up from a dream with your heart pumping from excitement or fear? After a moment to fully wake up, you know it was a dream—but your brain can't tell if the images are "real," so it sends messages to your body. This is a mind-body connection, and both our waking and "sleeping" mind affect our body.

If dreams can change our body while we sleep, can images change our body when we are awake? Yes! Guided imagery is a technique that lets us use our imagination to our benefit. We can create images to calm ourselves, relieve stress, reduce pain, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep. Some practitioners include guided imagery in programs to manage chronic illness—and all of us can learn to use it on our own.

One patient says:
"I used visualization when my platelet count was reported as low. I started this process while waiting for a second opinion from a hematologist. The second blood test showed my count within normal range. Was it an erroneous report the first time, or did the visualization actually work? Who can say or know? I am only glad to know that I potentially have power over my body."

 History of guided imagery