Relaxation techniques, a type of mind-body medicine Mind-Body Medicine Five categories of complementary or alternative medicine are generally recognized: Whole medical systems Mind-body medicine Biologically based practices not usually used in conventional medicine... read more , are practices specifically designed to relieve tension and strain. The specific technique may be aimed at
Reducing activity of the sympathetic nervous system
Lowering blood pressure
Easing muscle tension
Slowing metabolic processes
Altering brain wave activity
Relation therapy, or applied relaxation, is effective in reducing anxiety and some types of pain. Relaxation therapy can also be helpful in depression (1 Reference 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... read more ). Many studies on relaxation therapies applied to clinical conditions are small and of lower quality.
Relaxation techniques may be used with other techniques, such as meditation, guided imagery, or hypnotherapy.
(See also Overview of Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Overview of Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Integrative medicine and health (IMH) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) include healing approaches and therapies that historically have not been included in conventional, mainstream... read more .)
Reference
1. Jia Y, Wang X, Cheng Y: Relaxation therapy for depression: an updated meta-analysis. J Nerv Ment Dis. 208(4):319-328, 2020. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000001121. PMID: 32221187.
