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January 7, 2008

New Research Confirms The Power Of Images In The Brain To Heal The Body

Topics: Medicine

In the "It's always nice to learn the old folks were right" department, it turns out that Aristotle and Hippocrates had it right all along in their belief of employing images in the brain to enliven the heart and body. According to the January issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, guided imagery is now being used to help patients use the full range of the body's healing capacity:

Guided imagery is more than listening to relaxing sounds. It's a learning process to listen to someone's voice, relax the breathing and consciously direct the ability to imagine. The effect of guided vivid imagery sends a message to the emotional control center of the brain.

From there, the message is passed along to the body's endocrine, immune and autonomic nervous systems. These systems influence a wide range of bodily functions, including heart and breathing rates and blood pressure.

Continue reading: Enhance Healing By Guided Imagery ...

Related: Guided imagery wins converts at DHMC.

Guided imagery incorporates the power of the mind to help the body heal, maintain health, or relax. Involving a combination of touch, smell, sight, and sound, it aims to forge a balance between mind, body, and spirit. Proponents say that tapping into the mind-body connection can strengthen the immune system, reduce anxiety, ease pain, and improve sleep.

CD: Self Healing with Guided Imagery

Content cross posted from New Hope Blog

Posted by Richard at January 7, 2008 10:40 AM

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