Guided Imagery For Pain Control
Using Creative Visualization to Control Pain
Please read part 1 and 2 of Guided Imagery before you begin.
Sit quietly and comfortably and start to relax as described in the previous
creative visualization exercise.
When you are feeling very relaxed think about your pain and consider what
symbolic image it might take. Imagine your pain, see a picture of
your pain in your mind.
What does it look like?
For example if your pain is a headache you might see it as a tight band
gripping your head, or as flames burning into your skull, depending on the
type of pain it is. If the pain is felt in your gut or stomach you might see
it as a balloon blown up inside you, pressing on you from within, or if the
pain is sharp see it as a red hot knife.
Think about the image your pain gives you.
Now think of the pain image being destroyed. So if your pain is a fire, now
imagine cool water quenching the flames until they are just a tiny glowing
ember and eventually, but perhaps not today, are extinguished. Or if your
pain is like a tight band or vice, see it being released or cut away. If you
are suffering from feelings of depression you might imagine a black cloud
surrounding you, then a puff of wind gradually blowing it away.
Try and think of what your pain represents and
then see it being destroyed.
Now imagine the relief when the pain has been destroyed.
You most probably will need some practice before you feel the full benefit
of this exercise. Just as with any other skill it takes practice and persistence
over time, unless you are a very visual person.
I hope that these examples will bring you some relief and comfort. You must
keep it up for it to be fully effective. Practice it daily for at least one
month and see how it goes. Put a reminder in your diary, or somewhere else
that you see each day such as your computer monitor.
If you wish to go deeper into healing using guided imagery I can highly
recommend the book "Consciousness, Bioenergy and Healing: Self-Healing and Energy Medicine for the 21st Century (Healing Research, Vol. 2; Professional Edition) (Healing Research)
