Overview

Guided imagery is a practice that uses directed thoughts and visualizations to improve relaxation, improve problem solving, and enhance healing.

Guided imagery intends to help people feel in control of their situation, resulting in improved emotions and attitudes. For example, cancer patients might envision the body's defense systems fighting and destroying cancer cells.

People use guided imagery for reducing stress and pain after surgery. It is also used for anxiety, osteoarthritis, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse guided imagery with relaxation therapy. These are sometimes used together but are not the same.



Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • Pain after surgery. Guided imagery might somewhat reduce pain after surgery. But it's not clear which types of guided imagery work best.
  • Stress. Guided imagery, alone or together with relaxation training, seems to help reduce stress in people undergoing stressful situations, such as cancer treatment or hospitalization.

There is interest in using guided imagery for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects



Special Precautions and Warnings



Guided imagery is likely safe. There are no known safety concerns.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if guided imagery is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. But there's no known reason to expect safety concerns.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Guided Imagery overview.

Dosing

Guided imagery is the use of guided or directed thoughts and visualizations to deepen relaxation and to visualize solutions to problems or disease fighting processes. It's often used with other techniques such as relaxation therapy to help reduce stress in stressful situations. The visualization process can be guided by an instructor or by pre-recorded tapes. Talk to your physician or other healthcare professional to learn more about how guided imagery is used for specific conditions.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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