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Merck Manual
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Professional /
Special Subjects /
Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine /
... /
Relaxation Techniques /

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine
Overview of Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine
Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture
Ayurveda
Biofeedback
Chelation Therapy
Chiropractic
Cupping
Diet Therapy
Guided Imagery
Homeopathy
Hypnotherapy
Magnets
Massage Therapy
Meditation
Moxibustion
Naturopathy
Reflexology
Reiki
Relaxation Techniques
Scraping
Therapeutic Touch
Traditional Chinese Medicine

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Test your knowledge

Mind-Body Medicine
There is abundant scientific evidence that mind-body techniques such as guided imagery and meditation are useful in helping patients manage which of the following conditions? 
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Relaxation Techniques

By

Denise Millstine

, MD,

  • Mayo Clinic

Last full review/revision Sep 2018| Content last modified Sep 2018
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Relaxation techniques, a type of mind-body medicine, are practices specifically designed to relieve tension and strain. The specific technique may be aimed at

  • Reducing activity of the sympathetic nervous system

  • Lowering BP

  • Easing muscle tension

  • Slowing metabolic processes

  • Altering brain wave activity

Relaxation techniques may be used with other techniques, such as meditation, guided imagery, or hypnotherapy.

(See also Overview of Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine.)

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© 2020 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA)
Reiki
Scraping
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