It is also quite possible that there is a significant "placebo effect" when dealing with GI (or other) treatments. The patients may be truly relaxing, but may also believe that they are managing their pain through breathing and imagery, meaning they are, in fact doing just that (Bresler; Menzies).

Evidence-Based Practice Analysis -- Clearly, the use of GI techniques to supplement and help wean patients off pharmaceutical pain management solutions is not only positive, but cost-effective and more efficient. The research shows that not only is GI helpful for pain management, it can also be an effective technique to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, work in a pre- and post-op setting, to help prevent patients from "test or exam" panic, and to increase pain tolerance. Physicians could help disseminate this technique by supplying their patients with a disk or zip-drive with several different (length, style, etc.) GI scenarios. Giving the...
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