Patient was instructed regarding symbolic imagery technique for pain management as follows:
- Symbolic imagery is a technique of pain management, in which you train the mind to have an annoying sensation, such as loud sound of an alarm or phone ring or bright painful light, represent your pain.
- Make sure you have the control to change the intensity of this annoying sensation.
- After you successfully associate your pain with this irritating sensation, try reducing the intensity of this sensation, by reducing the volume on the alarm or by dimming the bright light.
- This mindful association of pain with the annoying sensation and willful diminishing of the intensity of the sensation, will help associate your mind with diminished pain intensity.
- Relaxing into the diminished intensity of annoying stimulus and thereby, into the diminished intensity of pain, will help you experience relief with pain and discomfort, thus helping with pain management.
