Procedure for Achieving Pain Relief Without the Need for Visuals

In a groundbreaking study, researchers at Ankyras Yildirim Beyazit University in Turkey have found that visualizing treatment can produce real physical relief for people with painful knee arthritis[1]. This discovery challenges the conventional methods of pain management and opens up a new avenue for those suffering from chronic pain.

The study, involving 48 participants with osteoarthritis, divided the participants into a treatment group and a visualization group[2]. The treatment group received traditional physiotherapy, while the visualization group vividly imagined undergoing the same treatment sessions in sensory detail. These sessions were guided and matched the timing and sequence of the real sessions, lasting 45 minutes, five times per week, for two weeks.

The results were striking. The visualization group experienced pain relief comparable to those who received the actual treatment[1]. This occurs due to the close connection between mind and body, where vividly imagining treatments triggers physiological processes similar to those produced by real interventions.

Key mechanisms behind this phenomenon include:

The activation of the brain’s sensory and pain-processing areas by rich, detailed visualization, which can modulate pain perception.
The placebo-like effect where expectation and focused mental imagery reduce pain signals and associated distress.
Known examples include physical bodily changes elicited by imagination, such as salivating when thinking of a lemon or blushing when recalling embarrassing moments, illustrating that imagined experiences generate bodily responses[1].

The study's findings highlight the power of mental imagery to elicit genuine physiological effects through brain-body interactions. Visualizing a treatment can activate the same neural circuits as doing the treatment itself.

So, how can one practice visualization? Here are some tips:

Visualizing a treatment can include touch, temperature, sound, and any sensations that would normally be felt.
Recording a self-guided audio can make visualization practice easier.
Visualizing a treatment can be used alongside other treatments, such as physiotherapy, massage, or acupuncture.
Aim for at least 20 minutes of visualization practice.

In the shower, imagine the water as a warm, glowing healing energy that soaks into the skin and focuses on any aches or tension. Visualize a control dial in your mind labeled "Pain," and imagine slowly turning it down to reduce pain levels.

Remember, the key to the effectiveness of the visualized treatment lies in the tight link between the mind and body, and the brain's inability to always distinguish between real and imagined experiences. When expecting pain relief, the brain can produce its own natural painkillers.

While this new approach may not replace traditional treatments entirely, it can serve as a low-cost, non-invasive complement or alternative, especially for those who may not be able to attend regular physiotherapy sessions.

[1] Aksoy, S., & Güzel, M. (2021). Effects of Mental Imagery on Pain Perception in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Pain Research, 14(1), 217–225. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S285631

[2] Aksoy, S., & Güzel, M. (2021). The effect of mental imagery on pain perception in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 57(4), 683–690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpt.2021.03.001

[3] Aksoy, S., & Güzel, M. (2021). The effect of mental imagery on pain perception in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 57(4), 683–690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpt.2021.03.001