CANCER AND PAIN: CANCER AND IMAGERY
Significant physical changes can be brought about by enhancing the immune system and altering the course of malignancy. Since mental processes have a direct influence on the immune system and hormonal balances in the body, physical changes can be directly linked with changes in thought patterns.
For example, Jenny, a 50-year-old nurse, visualised a flock of black birds pecking away at a ‘bunch of black grapes’ which were a bunch of cancer cells. When this wasn’t working as well as she thought, she imagined an even bigger, hungry blackbird helped by poison sprays.
Positive imagery can decrease the fear which comes mostly from feeling out of control. In the case of cancer, feeling your body is deteriorating makes many people feel powerless. Relaxation and mental imagery help to positively participate in regaining your health. You begin to sense your own control.
The process can bring about major changes in attitudes and strengthen the ‘will to live’ and the imagery process can serve as a method of evaluating current beliefs and altering those beliefs.
The process can be a tool for communicating with the unconscious and relaxation through imagery can be a tool for generally reducing tension and stress.
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