Why Imagery Techniques Work
Posted on December 2, 2008
Our understanding of exactly what happens in the body when you use a technique like imagery or meditation is on a par with what Columbus knew about the new world when he discovered it.
Yet clinical evidence shows that physical changes clearly happen when people practice imagery and meditation regularly, e.g., researchers have counted a difference in the number of killer T cells of the immune system. It has also been observed that headaches can often be relieved and blood pressure can be lowered. Further, many people report they simply “feel” better and they frequently change their behavior because of insights they got while doing these techniques.
So we know that “something” is happening. We just don’t know the exact mechanism by which these changes occur. There are, however, several theories, which we discuss below.
Images, Like Any Other Type of Thought, Are Electrochemical The visual cortex is stimulated by “seeing” a picture in your mind’s eye. Similarly, the auditory cortex becomes stimulated when you imagine you hear bells. If your images involve a sense of physical movement, your nerves and muscles produce slight but perceptible movements that can be detected with an instrument called an electromyography (EMG). Sad images create chemicals of depression. Aggressive images make adrenaline. And if the image is relaxing, your body produces a natural tranquilizer that has a chemical structure similar to Valium.
If you have a phobia of elevators, when you think about going into an elevator, notice what happens. Your heart rate increases, acids squirt into your digestive system, your chest constricts and your throat tightens. But then observe what happens if, after thinking about the elevator, you are reminded of a special gift given you by a loving friend. This new image will begin to reverse the physical symptoms you just experienced, i.e., your thoughts associated with that image, will influence your biological processes.
Focusing the Mind Encourages Healing of the Body You can think of only one thing at a time, but in “normal mode” the mind tends to jump from thought to thought. If it is focused, as it is during an imagery or meditation session, your mind shifts to an altered state of awareness, much as a young child’s entire being becomes concentrated on watching an ant crawling along the sidewalk. In this state of mind, you may want to focus all your energies on one thing, such as the concept of patience. You may, on the other hand, want to step back from all thoughts and just “be”, evening achieving a sense of “nothingness”. This gives your mind rest from its usual frantic activity as muscles and nerves “connected” to mind chatter become “disconnected,” even if only temporarily. Then your body has a chance to heal.
Imagery Bypasses the Left Brain Images are processed by the right brain. Self-critical thoughts are more often controlled by the left brain. Therefore, images that evoke positive ideas and life-changing affirmations appear to be effective when the left brain is not involved. Similarly, when the mind is focused on new, positive thoughts, not only does the body benefit from the shift in awareness, neurons aren’t attached to old thought patterns and you are thus open to acceptance of seeing yourself in a new way. You don’t need to worry that you are being hypnotized into accepting something you don’t want to believe. Your psyche has many defenses against taking in something it knows is wrong for you to accept.
Your Teacher Wants Your Attention There is another way to understand how your mind can present you with new insights when you are doing these techniques. This explanation likens your mind to a classroom. When you are distracted by constant, and often conflicting, inner dialogue (what some call monkey-chatter), your mind is like a noisy classroom. You need to quiet the chatter so the gentle voice of wisdom can be heard.
Arlene F. Harder, MA, MFT is Founder and Editor-in Chief of the websites Support4Change.com and ChildhoodAffirmations.com She has been a licensed psychotherapist for more than 20 years. Her specialties include healing imagery and reflective meditation techniques, and she is certified by the Academy for Guided Imagery. She is a co-founder of The Wellness Community-Foothills in Pasadena, California, and the author of the book Letting Go of Our Adult Children: When What We Do is Never Enough, and the upcoming book Questions to Ask Yourself When You Want Your Life to Change. Arlene can be contacted at arleneharder@support4change.com and can be found at her blog, support4change.squarespace.com
