Guided Imagery for Abdominal Pain

What is guided imagery?

Guided imagery is a mind–body tool used to help relax the mind and body. It works by reducing nervous system activity and quieting the “fight or flight” stress response. Guided imagery can help patients reduce stress and deal with anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, and pain. 

How does it work?

Our minds are powerful in their ability to create detailed thoughts and vivid images. The images our mind creates may be positive and pleasant, negative and uncomfortable, or neutral. When you visualize a specific image, you may notice changes in how your body feels. Examples include your mouth watering when thinking about your favorite meal, or when you feel butterflies in your stomach thinking about something that makes you nervous. Our body listens and responds to what our mind is thinking!

Using our imaginations and all five senses (sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste) to create a calming, soothing image can help the body feel relaxed. Guided imagery allows your child to choose an image that is meaningful to them, like lying in a warm, cozy bed, sitting on the beach, or any other “happy place” for them. The more specific and detailed the image, the more powerful the relaxation response will be. 

How can guided imagery help with abdominal pain?

Guided imagery can help reduce the experience of abdominal pain by shifting focus away from pain to a more relaxed image or place, which can help reduce the volume or “noise” of pain. Guided imagery also can help break the unhelpful feedback loop between abdominal pain and worry by increasing the ability of the mind and body to relax. 

Audio guides to practice guided imagery

The Comfort Ability Program (Boston Children’s Hospital)

ImaginAction (Stanford Children’s Hospital)

Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)

Resources

NCCIH

Author: Aarti Patel, MD, PhD
Editor: Amanda Deacy, MD
June 2025