Entspannungsverfahren

Autogenic training, progressive relaxation and hypnosis show good empirical evidence as relaxation-therapies and are useful techniques in psychotherapy and also in behavioral therapy and psychiatric treatment. Relaxation therapy can be used on its own in psychosomatic concepts of e.g. internal medicine and it is a well established and scientific-based component in the treatment of psychic, psychosomatic or psychiatric disorders, except psychosis and severe dementia. Though in details somewhat different, the methodology of these techniques creates a framework, in which the psychophysiologically determined relaxation response is easily elicited. However, regular practice of the patients is required. Focussed attention, imagination and new attributions of bodily or mental perceptions play a dominant role.The task of the modern “relaxation-therapist” doesn’t consist in charismatic guided exercises but in enhancing the patient’s motivation for searching his own way of relaxation. Relaxation can be combined with all psychotherapeutic (including psychodynamic) and psychiatric treatments. For our patients’ benefit a widespread application of these techniques should be practiced.