"Using Relaxation for Medical Conditions" by Tarun Patel

Most people are aware that relaxation techniques are used to relieve stress and tension. Regular use of relaxation methods can improve the body’s ability to fight off disease and maintain health. But relaxation is now being taught and used in many more medical settings with some amazing results. Relaxation may be used to help people with these conditions;

Anxiety

Learn easy relaxation methods to prevent anxiety and panic attacks and manage them when they do occur. Controlled breathing helps the anxious person to feel calmer and to avoid hyperventilating which can lead to a panic attack. General anxiety causes aches and pains because of the constant muscle tension when anxious. Daily relaxation for 20-30 minutes can relieve the feeling of being ‘on edge’ all the time.

Anger Management

As the feeling of anger increases, so does the tension in the body. By using simple relaxation techniques to relieve muscle tension, the anger is also reduced. It is not possible for the body to be angry and relaxed at the same time. Anger also makes the blood pressure go up. Relaxation techniques are one of the basic skills of anger management

Cancer

Regular relaxation is good for the immune system functioning and it also helps cancer patients to relax during the many medical procedures that they have. Relaxation with visualization can be very helpful for adults and children who have to have long term chemotherapy and painful procedures.

Insomnia

Lack of sleep is another stress on the body. Not getting enough sleep can make you more irritable and more easily upset during the day. Insomnia is also common with many medical illnesses. Relaxation can often help people to get to sleep more easily. It also helps to rest the mind and body for the period of relaxation so that the body and mind get time to rest and refresh from the stresses of the day

High Blood Pressure

As the body relaxes the blood pressure drops. Practicing relaxation regularly is an easy way to improve your blood pressure reading for many people with hypertension.

Diabetes

Regular use of relaxation can help many diabetics to improve their blood sugar levels and their blood pressure. When the body is under stress the blood sugar levels are raised to provide energy for fight or flight. By learning relaxation techniques the level of stress can often be lowered which helps to stabilize the blood sugar.

Drug and Alcohol Problems

Legal and illegal drugs and alcohol are often used to relieve stress, anxiety and anger. As time goes by it takes more and more of the substance to get the same effect. Learning to relax without the use of a substance can help those who are trying to cut down their drug and alcohol use.

Other health problems that may be helped by regular relaxation include: asthma, allergies, irritable bowel, depression, chronic pain, chronic fatigue and any illness that has lowered the immune systems response. Not everyone has the same effects, and you should always be guided by your medical professional about the use of relaxation techniques.