I Believe!
(Psychoneuroimmunology and Other Magical Stuff)
Mayling
Ahhh... The imagination! Do you remember that place? A magical world where anything is
possible! And before the hard, cruel world of “reality” slapped us rudely in
the face – we
all believed! Returning to this magical kingdom
within can be a powerful step in assisting the healing process, especially for
children, who remain open to the much needed possibilities of the imagination
(of course we grownups need it too, but that’s a whole other story!).Before
some of you start pooh poohing this concept, know that the “magic” I speak of
is quite grounded in science – but we’ll get to that in just a bit. For now,
sit down and relax, flip a switch in that knowledgeable mind of yours and open
up to the world of your imagination, (or if you prefer, the world of the
little Tommy’s or Sarah’s imagination) where we get to splash around for
a while, color outside the lines, bask in a little magic... Now if you’ve really
begun to do this (or imagine yourself doing this), your whole body is beginning
to relax, your heart rate slows, blood pressure and pulse steadies, respirations
are slower and are providing more oxygenation to your cells. Perhaps you’ve
found that old magic wand in your inner kingdom – even “imagine” yourself picking
the old, abandoned thing back up as it zaps to life! Perhaps you can even see
and feel it streaming with light, or iridescent colors flowing from its tip
as you turn it toward yourself – letting yourself bathe in its warm, healing,
magical light (neuropathways are now crackling and sparking – maybe even
a few new one’s are being forged!). While you see and feel this light flowing
over you and through you, your parasympathetic nervous system is being activated,
as you slip out of the high geared sympathetic nervous system (leave it behind
like an old stiff suit!). Letting go of linear thinking and finding yourself
thoroughly enjoying the experience of now, the past and future melt away...
Feeling these magical lights filling your being, they move deeply into your
cells, “zapping” them with new life... Ahhh, your whole being sighs as it releases
soothing, “feel good” bio-chemicals. Yes, now your cells are regenerating (aglow
with light) as they respond to these “self loving” messenger molecules, with
their encoded messages down loading into your cells. As these healing messenger
molecules communicate soothingly, your cells “open up” and let them in, absorbing
them (like magical lights) and bathe in them. As your body/mind rests, it is
paradoxically rejuvenating – releasing “dis-ease” as it slips into “ease.” Now
a whole gang of “magic elves” (or fairies, whichever you “believe” in) are bouncing
(or flying) into your magical kingdom. Armed with their own “magic wands” they
are sworn to protect you, and zap out anything that doesn’t support this magical
world of YOU... which is coincidentally (or synchronous with) a world of self-healing.
Still splashing around with me? Then you just strengthened your immune system,
(those darn tough, little Killer T Elves and phagocyte Fairies!!!! Who would’ve
thought it?). I’d say right about now, you’ve just reached some form of homeostasis
(or your patient has, depending on who you’ve given this gift of magical healing
to).Okay, okay – I know how important it is to you to “analyze” this – to get
to the “nitty-gritty” reality of what just happened. This isn’t Disneyland you
say? Hmmm... well, for your patients, I beg to differ. They need Disneyland
as much for healing as they do the well provided medical care and carefully
administered medications that you so lovingly prescribe. So what’s this all
about? Simply this – imagery, or guided imagery, is just as powerful a medical
tool (when used in conjunction with the more grown up stuff) as all our allopathic
approaches. I’m talking about the holistic healing paradigm, which takes into
consideration that we are greater than the sum of our parts. I’m talking about
a nursing intervention (although can be provided by physicians, parents or any
caregiver) that stays true to our pledge of “do no harm.” A noninvasive “medical”
intervention that can be built into any “care plan” (if your nurses do it, they
don’t even need to bug you for a doctor’s order, as it is well within their
scope of practice). I’m talking about psychoneuroimmunology, which can be defined
as the interactions between the mind (psycho), the CNS, immune and endocrine
systems. Or the Electrochemical Self, defined in the “Art of Caring” course
by: Barbara M. Dossey, R.N., M.S., FAAN, Lynn Keegan, R.N., Ph.D., FAAN, and
Cathie E. Guzzetta, R.N., Ph.D., FAAN as the following: (shortened excerpts)
“The human bodymind is a complex electrochemical feedback system based on intimate
connections between every cell in the body. A continuous electrochemical shower
of information and activity moves through this system at all times. It tells
us what is going on in the different areas of the body, as well as what those
areas need. The mind is present literally in every part of the body, not just
in the brain. So it is possible for us to communicate directly with all body
parts about health and healing.” It goes on to talk about how mental images
and calmness are actualized in the body itself. In comparing our bodies to computers
these Nurse Educators go on to describe how the central nervous system is our
“hardware,” which interacts with all other connections in our bodies. “The area
in the anterior frontal lobe of the brain where images are formed is directly
wired to the limbic system, where emotions are processed. From there the neural
pathways connect to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, thus directly linking
the image forming area of the brain and all other major regulators of the body.
In order for this “neural hardware” to be in constant contact with every cell
in the body, it makes use of chemical messengers (our “software”) made up of
neurotransmitters, hormones, immunomodulators, and neuropeptides to communicate
throughout the body, traveling through the bloodstream and lymphatic system
keeping in touch with our cells and tissues.Perhaps you’ve read some studies
on this (or its related areas) already and are familiar with the supporting
data? If not, and your saying “Let’s get back to reality here” I’d like to quote
from Candice B. Pert, PhD’s book,
Molecules of Emotion which states:
“Since our sensing of the outer world is filtered along peptide-receptor-rich
sensory way stations, each with a different emotional tone, how can we objectively
define what’s real and what’s not real?” Mumbo jumbo? Okay, here’s another example
from Candice’s book: “Most of our bodymind attentional shifts are subconscious.
While neuropeptides are actually directing our attention by their activities,
we are not consciously involved in deciding what gets processed, remembered,
and learned. But we do have the possibility of bringing some of these decisions
into consciousness, particularly with the help of various types of intentional
training that have been developed with precisely this goal in mind – to increase
our consciousness. Through visualization, for example, we can increase the blood
flow into a body part and thereby increase the availability of oxygen and nutrients
to carry away toxins and nourish cells.” Oh I could go on and on, however, I’ll
leave you to “read” the studies that medically and scientifically support “imagery”
and other such “holistic interventions.” What I can tell you is that imagery
can and has affected quicker-better wound, bone and burn graft healing, and
combined with relaxation (which usually goes hand in hand with imagery) a “whole”
host of benefits are produced for healing in countless areas. Imagery can be
used for most all types of diagnosed illnesses and disease (and for some of
those “undiagnosed” ones too), and can even be used with invasive interventions
such as surgery (i.e. pre-surgery prep and post-op). It can reduce pain, boost
the immune system, increase effectiveness of cardiovascular functioning, inhibit
“stress chemicals” while producing more bio-chemicals that support healing.
Psychologically it is pleasing (to most candidates), and it just plain “feels
good.” And when we “feel good” we are promoting homeostasis. Of course, common
sense tells us that it isn’t the best associative tool for “acute” conditions,
medical emergencies, etc. But even in these cases, imagery can be effective
as a recovery tool or to reduce anxiety.Imagery isn’t even dependent on a second
party as it can be taught as a “self-help” tool. There are many types of imagery
to choose from: Body-Mind Imagery, Clinical Imagery, Correct Biologic Imagery,
End-State Imagery, Guided Imagery, Imagery Process, Imagery Rehearsal, Impromptu
Imagery, Packaged Imagery, Relationship Imagery, Symbolic Imagery, Transpersonal
Imagery & Visualization, all defined in
Holistic Nursing, A Handbook
for Practice, Third Edition by Dossey, Keegan and Guzzetta. The type of
imagery used is a choice made between medical professionals, patients and family,
so whether that choice is to use “symbolic” imagery (i.e., magical elves and
fairies!) or more practical imagery (depending on age and preference) it can
go a long way towards assisting you in achieving you and your pediatric patient’s
ultimate goal – healing!Of course, there is that comparison to “curing,” and
I know that “curing” can sometimes be confused with “healing.” Healing, (and
the human experience) still being the mystery it is, doesn’t always provide
the result of a “cure,” some little beings are still determined to slip out
of our healing hands ready to move on for whatever “reason” unbeknownst to us.
In these cases, imagery can still provide much needed healing to patients and
families (along with ourselves) alike. The goal of imagery can be adapted to
support a different kind of healing, one that promotes comfort, care and “right
relationship” to those beyond “curing.” It is said that in some ancient healing
traditions that “death” is the ultimate healing, and as much as we may fight
it, if it’s beyond the medical communities ability to change, we simply must
“let go.” But letting go doesn’t mean detaching from our patients, or disconnecting
from their “healing” journey. On the contrary, imagery can provide a rich resource
for staying connected to the individual experience of life and that which is
beyond our “knowledge.” You “see” imagery, unlike visualization, doesn’t rely
on “mental images” alone – imagery is the culmination and use of all our senses,
providing a rich experience of an inner reality that, when related to the “inner”
world of healing is just as “real” as everything we perceive outside ourselves.Whether
you are a pediatric surgeon, or tend to anything from cancer treatments to colds
and flues, allowing a little imagination to run free in your patients, through
imagery, can truly bring about some amazing (dare I say magical? Yikes!) results.
But don’t just take it from me – the proof is in the pudding. Too busy to add
these kind of interventions to your already overworked schedules? Then ask your
nurses to investigate and learn this simple intervention. The American Holistic
Nurses Association is a wonderful resource for education in imagery (as well
as a host of other holistic nursing interventions). Recommend that your nurses
try some of the courses available (i.e., “The Art of Caring” excerpts included
above), or even try one yourself (okay, okay I’m pushing the envelope here!)
And if you can’t take your patients to Disneyland for some “feel good” therapy,
help bring Disneyland to them (or any other delightful realm of the imagination).
Don’t think of it as a “replacement” for all the wonderful techniques and care
that you and your medical team provide, but rather as “including” the patient’s
innate healing capabilities through the mysterious healing potential within
each of them (us). Most of all, helping your pediatric patients draw upon the
“I believe” factor, is a simple, yet enormous step into their own possibilities
for healing.