Incorporating Relaxation & Guided Imagery into Treatment Protocols with MS

Dr. Miriam Franco, MSW, Psy.D., MSCS

Relaxation techniques are key to restoring and maintaining a healthy body and mind and to gain control of worries.  It can profoundly activate the body’s relaxation response (slow breathing & lower blood pressure) and promote well-being.

People with MS have a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety which have been associated with decreases in adherence to treatment, quality of life, and functional status. Multiple studies have shown that use of directed sensory images has been found to change behavior, relieve symptoms and improve mood and fatigue associated with MS.

GI significantly reduced fatigue and depression and improved quality of life among MS patients.  GI has also been documented to increase short-term immune function  to shift pain responses in MS patients, and lower MRI anxiety.

 My new app, ImageryWork has an entire section devoted to the application of GI exercises for managing MS.

Here are some GI tracks to incorporate into treatment protocols:

 

• FOR THE EARLY DIAGNOSED

  Relieve Stress: De-Stress 101
  Improve positive thinking and sustain motivation for treatment goals: Imagine the Possibilities
  Lower Anxiety/Injection Anxiety: Lower Anxiety/Injection Anxiety with MS

• FOR INFUSION/VENIPUNCTURE FEARS

  Going to a Safe Place

• TO REDUCE/SHIFT PAIN RESPONSES

  De-Stress 101

• TO ENHANCE REST PERIODS

  Imagine the Possibilities
  Going to a Safe Place
  Lower Anxiety with MS

• TO RELIEVE MRI ANXIETY

  StressFree MRIs

• TO REDUCE CAREGIVER STRESS

  Relieve Caregiver Stress
  

To learn more about incorporating GI into MS treatment protocols and access all available tracks, subscribe to

 ImageryWork

my new Guided Imagery app!