[2] It can influence conditions like anxiety, insomnia, stress, depression, and pain and may have beneficial long term effects.
[14] In 1929, Jacobson published the book Progressive Relaxation, which included a detailed procedure for removing tension in the muscles.
[3] Jacobson designed the progressive muscle relaxation so that it could address a large number of mental and physical conditions.
[3] In his 1934 book,You Must Relax: A Practical Method of Reducing the Strains of Modern Living, Jacobson noted the potential applications of his technique.
[3] The initial progressive muscle relaxation technique that Jacobson developed required weekly instruction and daily practice.
[1][6][18] Progressive muscle relaxation can be effectively used with other modern medical treatments or other complementary therapies that promote health.
[12] PMR is effective at reducing the severity of depression in patients with various conditions like heart disease,[6] coronavirus,[19] and cancer.
[16] PMR impacts this system by reducing cortisol, which is a hormone involved in the stress response of fight-or-flight situations.
[6] The technique also improved healthcare workers' physical and mental health since occupational stress can lead to burnout, heart disease, and depression.
[7] People use PMR to reduce physical tension and interrupt the racing thoughts processes that affect sleep.
[1] Some studies reported that the progressive muscle relaxation technique has a beneficial effect on insomnia cancer patients.
[19] Pain is one of the most frequent symptoms in patients undergoing surgery or cancer chemotherapy and various treatments are proposed for its relief, including complementary relaxation techniques.
[23] Progressive muscle relaxation has been used in psychiatric settings as an alternative means of coping with subjective stress and states of anxiety.
[16][24] A few modern studies have reported that PMR has a beneficial effect on psychological distress, anxiety, and well-being in patients with schizophrenia.
It has been hypothesized that progressive muscle relaxation techniques may help athletes achieve optimal performance and prevent injury.
[25] According to Encyclopedia of medicine by Miller-Keane, long term effects of practicing progressive muscle relaxation include: