Guided Imagery
Guided imagery is a form of thought direction that helps guide the imagination into a more relaxed state, similar to meditation. There are various types of guided imagery, which is also known as guided meditation. The directed thoughts and suggestions that help an individual to relax and focus may come from an audio tape, script, or an instructor.
Like many other forms of meditation, guided imagery is largely based on the concept that the mind and the body are connected. While there are many reasons for an individual to use guided meditation to relax, some of the most common uses for this form of relaxation technique include healing, aided learning and creativity, as well as increased performance.
Many people believe that guided meditation actually helps them to feel more in control of both their physical and emotional processes.
How Does Guided Imagery Help Back Pain?
Individuals suffering from chronic back pain can benefit from guided meditation techniques that help ease muscle tension, reduce stress, and alleviate pain. Often times, back pain is caused by an inability of the individual to alleviate the tension that builds in the back muscles. Stress relief techniques such as meditation can work to reduce muscle tension and alleviate or even completely eliminate back pain and other bodily pains and discomforts.
Listening to guided meditation audio is one of the more common methods of reducing stress through guided imagery. Under this type of meditation, the patient will listen to an audio CD or file and focus on relaxation. Guided meditation audio is available in numerous styles ranging from the sounds of the ocean to that of rain drops tapping the windows or birds singing in a forest. Many find that guided meditation audio is very beneficial at promoting a state of calmness and relaxation needed to relieve pain.
Another common relaxation technique that often helps with back pain is the guided meditation script. Similar to audio, a guided meditation script is a written relaxation program that an individual uses to promote a sense of relaxation. A guided meditation script may include positive affirmations, reassuring words or a number of different thoughtful points that help to reduce stress and promote a relaxed state which can aid in the reduction of back pain or other discomforts.
Who Can It Help?
This type of meditation or relaxation has a number of different uses throughout holistic healing and alternative healing practices. Often times, guided imagery is used to alleviate stress and reduce further complications that are associated with stress such as high blood pressure. Patients who are trying to quit smoking, lose weight, or accomplish other goals in life often benefit from this type of treatment because it helps them focus more deeply on their goal and how they will accomplish the task at hand.
Meditation is not for everyone, but many find the benefits of this type of therapy to be both rewarding and effective. Athletes often use this technique to focus and relax before or after an important event. Public speakers can use guided imagery techniques to relax prior to speaking in front of a large audience where they may even use the technique while in front of the audience to maintain a calm and smooth state while speaking.
In general, meditation and guided imagery techniques are an excellent way for individuals to relax, focus, and resolve their pain. For more information, meet with your physician to see how you can benefit from using guided imagery as a form of back pain treatment.