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Relaxation therapies
Definition
Relaxation is a generic term covering a range of techniques which release physical and mental tension from the body and are useful for people with conditions in which stress and anxiety are precipitating or exacerbating factors.
Deep relaxation uses a quiet environment with the person lying supine and involves a process of total body relaxation resulting in a profoundly relaxing effect; conversely, brief relaxation, derived from progressive relaxation and autogenic training, allows the person to achieve an immediate state of relaxation when faced with a stressful situation; while rapid relaxation uses environmental objects as cues to induce relaxation such as a wrist-watch or telephone. Differential relaxation concentrates on controlling muscle tension and teaching the person to become aware of tension levels within various muscle groups and may be used in conjunction with cue-controlled relaxation. Electro-dermal response biofeedback uses sensors to monitor and feedback skin conductance in order to treat anxiety disorders, chronic pain and stress. Behavioural relaxation training is an aspect of cognitive behavioural therapy in which the client self-induces relaxation by assuming the appearance of being relaxed (whatever their feelings), thus inducing genuine feelings of relaxation. Brainwave training/neurofeedback teaches patients to identify, control and enhance brainwave activity in order to treat addictions, seizures and sleep disorders. The Mitchell method is based on the principle of reciprocal inhibition, i.e. when one group of muscles is working, the opposite group of muscles is relaxed; it aims to reduce stress and relax the mind by recognizing the difference between muscular tension and relaxation, combined with visualization and a breathing technique in which the person is encouraged to ‘sigh out slowly’, focussing on expiration, rather than inhalation.
Safety:
Relaxation training is contraindicated in acute psychotic states or those susceptible to psychosis but may benefit the patient during a non-active period of illness; trance-like states can lead to feelings of disorientation and depersonalization and should not be entered into for long periods of time. Emotional abreaction may occur.
