In 1982 Ron Eslinger recorded his first "Preparing for Surgery and During Surgery" tapes. In 2000, Blue Shield of California reported they had a new tactic to ease surgery: The insurer sends members a 20-minute guided-imagery tape or CD. Patients listen to it several times before surgery. A soothing voice instructs them to visualize an operating room complete with a team of competent surgeons and a cheering section of their family and friends. Next, it guides them into a recovery room where they calmly awaken as their body continues to heal. It sounds a little strange, but studies have shown that patients who listen to the tapes experience less anxiety before surgery, and less blood loss and pain after surgery. They even need less medical care and medication. According to the National Institutes of Health, relaxation techniques such as guided imagery and hypnosis are excellent for stress reduction and pain management
