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Guided Imagery
Guided Imagery is a form of deliberate daydreaming; a process of following descriptive cues by a guided imagery therapist that allows your mind to slow down to a focused, meditative state and zero in on visuals, symbols and information that is healing to you. It utilizes both the power of one’s imagination and suggestive words and phrases to evoke one’s memory and multi-sensory fantasies for the purpose of healing or the development of a management strategy in the face of adverse situations.
How Does Guided Imagery Work?
Imagery works by sending healing images straight into one’s brain and nervous system by way of primitive, sensory pathways. Because the route of travel of these messages goes to the right brain (non dominant brain) which feels, perceives and senses as opposed to the left brain which is busy judging, deciding and analyzing, healing imagery can be a very effective intervention tool for many conditions. Guided Imagery easily supports other ongoing therapies and also provides the patient his own powerful tool which grows more effective with continued use.
Over the past 40 years, the effectiveness of guided imagery has been increasingly established by research findings that demonstrate its positive impact on health, creativity and performance. We now know that in many instances even 10 minutes of imagery can reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood, and heighten short- term immune cell activity. It can reduce blood loss during surgery and morphine use after it. It lessens headaches and pain. It can increase skill at skiing, skating, tennis, writing, acting and singing; it accelerates weight loss and reduces anxiety ; and it has been shown, again and again, to reduce the adversive effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, especially nausea, depression, soreness and fatigue.
What’s a Guided Imagery Session Like?
Shari Stevens, Certified Guided Imagery Therapist will initially meet with you to discuss the personal issues you wish to overcome using guided imagery before the actual session occurs. The one-hour session takes place in a tranquil room with soft music where you can chose between sitting in a comfortable chair or lying down on a soft massage table. Shari sits nearby and gives you gentle, easy cues to first slow your mind and relax your body. In the main portion of the imagery session, you will be guided to visualize scenes and symbols that allow you visualize positive results, create strategies for upcoming challenges and understand new approaches to the issues at hand. During the entire session, you are awake and focused. You remember everything that happens in the guided imagery session, and in fact, you will receive a link to download a recording of your session to playback at your convenience. Second and third sessions can further develop and attune these skills for continued independent use.
To schedule an appointment, call 319-341-7144, email: shari@icmassage.net or click the button below to schedule online
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