How To Use Creative Visualization to Control Pain

Creative Visualization or Guided Imagery Instructions 

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 your pain 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. Doing it more than once a day is even better.

Further Reading

If you wish to go deeper into healing using guided imagery the book  "How Can I Heal What Hurts? (Healing Research, Vol. 2; Popular Edition) (Healing Resea" by Dr. Martin Rossman MD is highly recommended.

This is the popular version of "Consciousness, Bioenergy and Healing: Self-Healing and Energy Medicine for the 21st Century". It reviews and discusses the research studies of self-healing, CAM and bioenergy therapies in less detail, with explanations appropriate for lay readers.

It is not referenced as extensively as the Professional edition. An additional chapter provides many self-healing approaches and exercises. Learn how the body and mind work together in health and illness, and how to use new and ancient holistic mind-body techniques to heal physical and psychological problems.

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