In the past it was believed that our bodily functions and conditions were beyond our control, but today much research has proved that psychological techniques can in fact play a big role in our overall health. Guided imagery is becoming a popular technique today when it comes to pain management and dealing with other types of conditions that are common in our society today. The mind-body connection is more powerful than many people realize. Researchers have discovered a link between negative emotions and thought with lowered immune function.

On the other hand they have discovered a connection between positive thoughts and a healthy immune system, this is information that many people can use to help cope with pain and constant symptoms that otherwise were thought to be uncontrollable.

Guided imagery is the process of thinking of images in your mind, this is the most effective way to replace negative thoughts with positive ones and then reap the overall health benefits that come with this type of thinking. Through guided imagery, you are using your mind to create positive scenes and mental pictures in order to direct your body’s energy. For example, cancer patients often imagine their cancer cells to be weak and their white blood cells to be strong as they destroy the cancer cells. The point here is that people have found instead of focusing on the pain, instead they focus on a relaxing and pleasant scene or place, which is then able to control the pain naturally.

In order to use guided imagery successfully, it is important to really believe your positive thoughts and do everything you can to eliminate the negative and painful thoughts from your mind that may be fuelling your pain on a subconscious level. Although there are many skeptics out there who do not believe in guided imagery, this does not mean this psychological process does not work. If you are suffering from a life threatening disease or even a condition that plagues you with pain on a daily basis, why not try this alternative method of healing and see what it can do for you?

When used successfully as treatment for arthritis, cancer and hundreds of other conditions and illnesses guided imagery has been shown to reduce stress, slow your heart rate and stimulate your immune system. These are the types of benefits everyone is looking for when they take a prescription medication but unfortunately, only the natural side of healing can promote these types of overall health benefits. To begin your journey down the path of guided imagery, first take the time to really evaluate your thoughts and you will most likely realize that you have in fact been thinking negatively, and this is where you take action.

From here you decide to consciously change these thoughts and eliminate everything that is negative. You begin using positive mental images and scenes as well as thoughts and you will find that this psychological technique can help you control your pain as you choose to focus on something positive instead of the pain itself.