Post by sparklekaz on Nov 15, 2013 17:33:37 GMT
The idea behind visualisation is that you use the power of your imagination to help relieve symptoms or manage problems. You may also hear visualisation called Guided Imagery. Learning to direct and control images in your mind can help you to relax. This may also help to; Relieve stress; Control some of the symptoms caused by your ill health
and boost your immune system to help your body fight off infections and promote healing.
What visualisation involves
A therapist can help you learn how to practice visualisation. You create images in your mind that can help you to relax, feel less anxious, sleep and reduce pain. You use all of your senses – sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste. For example, you may want to think of a place or activity that made you happy in the past.
While you are learning the technique, your therapist talks you through the sort of images that it may be helpful to picture. They may ask you to imagine a peaceful place where you’d like to be. Or they might teach you to imagine yourself feeling well and strong. Many people find that they feel better after they imagine feeling stronger. Some people like to picture their body fighting off the cancer cells. If you have to stay in bed or can't leave your home, imagery may help. You may feel less closed in if you have been indoors for a long time.
A therapist may be able to teach you the best visualisation techniques for the times when you feel most stressed. They can show you short visualisation exercises or deeper relaxation techniques.
You can practice visualisation without a therapist, using a music file, CD or tape. You can buy these online, from some book stores or health shops, and from some cancer support groups or centres. There are also other sources where they can be obtained for free. There are many online websites who have free guided meditiations on their forums. This forum does. As well as other internet sources. You can also ask your nurse or doctor if they can recommend any.
Visualisation to improve mood and quality of life
In 2010 the PERI study reported its results. It looked at visualisation and guided imagery for patients with bowel cancer. The study included 151 patients and found that relaxation and guided imagery did not significantly change people’s mood or quality of life. But an earlier review of 6 studies in 2005 suggested that guided imagery may be helpful in managing stress, anxiety, and depression for people with cancer.
One study has shown that visualisation greatly improves the mood of people having treatment for breast cancer. A clinical trial in 1999 involving women with early stage breast cancer found that guided imagery helped to ease anxiety related to radiotherapy. The anxiety included fears about the radiotherapy machine, pain from breast surgery, and recurrence of cancer.
Visualisation to control symptoms and side effects
In 2012 an American study looked at guided imagery for patients having radiotherapy for breast cancer. The study found that patients who had guided imagery had lower breathing and pulse rates and lower blood pressure. They also had a slightly higher skin temperature which showed that they felt more relaxed. Overall, more than 8 out of 10 participants in the study described the guided imagery sessions as helpful. All of the people who took part said that they would recommend guided imagery to others.
A review of studies for women with breast cancer who had hot flushes was carried out in 2010. It looked at medicine treatments and non medicine treatments that aimed to reduce hot flushes. The non medicine treatments included homeopathy, relaxation therapy (including guided imagery), acupuncture and magnetic therapy. Some of the medicine treatments reduced the number of hot flushes. The authors of the review said that relaxation therapy was the only non medicine treatment that seemed to reduce the number and severity of hot flushes.
Finding a visualisation therapist
Anyone can call themselves a visualisation therapist, so beware of paying a therapist without checking what training they’ve had. There are specific courses for training people to become experts in relaxation, visualisation and guided imagery techniques. Some nurses and doctors have training in this area. And psychotherapists, psychologists and psychiatrists all have training in the use of relaxation and visualisation techniques. [/div]
and boost your immune system to help your body fight off infections and promote healing.
What visualisation involves
A therapist can help you learn how to practice visualisation. You create images in your mind that can help you to relax, feel less anxious, sleep and reduce pain. You use all of your senses – sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste. For example, you may want to think of a place or activity that made you happy in the past.
While you are learning the technique, your therapist talks you through the sort of images that it may be helpful to picture. They may ask you to imagine a peaceful place where you’d like to be. Or they might teach you to imagine yourself feeling well and strong. Many people find that they feel better after they imagine feeling stronger. Some people like to picture their body fighting off the cancer cells. If you have to stay in bed or can't leave your home, imagery may help. You may feel less closed in if you have been indoors for a long time.
A therapist may be able to teach you the best visualisation techniques for the times when you feel most stressed. They can show you short visualisation exercises or deeper relaxation techniques.
You can practice visualisation without a therapist, using a music file, CD or tape. You can buy these online, from some book stores or health shops, and from some cancer support groups or centres. There are also other sources where they can be obtained for free. There are many online websites who have free guided meditiations on their forums. This forum does. As well as other internet sources. You can also ask your nurse or doctor if they can recommend any.
Visualisation to improve mood and quality of life
In 2010 the PERI study reported its results. It looked at visualisation and guided imagery for patients with bowel cancer. The study included 151 patients and found that relaxation and guided imagery did not significantly change people’s mood or quality of life. But an earlier review of 6 studies in 2005 suggested that guided imagery may be helpful in managing stress, anxiety, and depression for people with cancer.
One study has shown that visualisation greatly improves the mood of people having treatment for breast cancer. A clinical trial in 1999 involving women with early stage breast cancer found that guided imagery helped to ease anxiety related to radiotherapy. The anxiety included fears about the radiotherapy machine, pain from breast surgery, and recurrence of cancer.
Visualisation to control symptoms and side effects
In 2012 an American study looked at guided imagery for patients having radiotherapy for breast cancer. The study found that patients who had guided imagery had lower breathing and pulse rates and lower blood pressure. They also had a slightly higher skin temperature which showed that they felt more relaxed. Overall, more than 8 out of 10 participants in the study described the guided imagery sessions as helpful. All of the people who took part said that they would recommend guided imagery to others.
A review of studies for women with breast cancer who had hot flushes was carried out in 2010. It looked at medicine treatments and non medicine treatments that aimed to reduce hot flushes. The non medicine treatments included homeopathy, relaxation therapy (including guided imagery), acupuncture and magnetic therapy. Some of the medicine treatments reduced the number of hot flushes. The authors of the review said that relaxation therapy was the only non medicine treatment that seemed to reduce the number and severity of hot flushes.
Finding a visualisation therapist
Anyone can call themselves a visualisation therapist, so beware of paying a therapist without checking what training they’ve had. There are specific courses for training people to become experts in relaxation, visualisation and guided imagery techniques. Some nurses and doctors have training in this area. And psychotherapists, psychologists and psychiatrists all have training in the use of relaxation and visualisation techniques. [/div]
