Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Benefits, How-To, Technique

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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. It’s normal to feel stressed sometimes. But if your stress builds up, or it continues for a period of time, you might carry the tension in your muscles. You could have muscle tightness without even realizing it. One way to relieve muscle tension is to do progressive muscle relaxation, also known as Jacobson’s relaxation technique. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a form of therapy that involves tightening and relaxing your muscle groups, one at a time, in a specific pattern. The goal is to release tension from your muscles, while helping you recognize what that tension feels like. When practiced regularly, this technique may help you manage the physical effects of stress. Research has also found that it has therapeutic benefits for conditions like: Let’s get into what PMR is, what the benefits are, and how to do this technique.

PMR was created by American physician Edmund Jacobson in the 1920s. It was based on the theory that physical relaxation can promote mental relaxation. Jacobson found that you can relax a muscle by tensing and then releasing it. He also discovered that doing so can relax the mind. PMR provides a framework for achieving this state of relaxation. It requires you to work on one muscle group at a time. This allows you to notice the tension in that specific area. It’s also essential to tense each muscle group beforerelaxing. This action emphasizes the sense of relaxation in the area.

What are the benefits? There’s plenty of evidence behind the health benefits of PMR. Let’s take a closer look at what research has discovered about the benefits of this technique. Anxiety relief is one of the major benefits of PMR. This includes generalized anxiety disorder or anxiety due to a stressful situation. A of 50 unemployed individuals found that PMR reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. At the same time, it improved feelings of well-being and quality of life. In another , it was determined that PMR had the ability to relieve tension and anxiety in dental patients. The researchers determined that PMR also helped reduce depressive symptoms in these patients. A done in 2016 determined that PMR was as effective as acupuncture treatment in helping to decrease feelings of tension, anxiety, and anger. Also, a found that PMR may help reduce anxiety in people with COVID-19, suggesting benefits for coping with difficult situations. Because PMR induces relaxation, it may also help you get better sleep. In a , researchers tested PMR on 80 burn patients. These patients often experience high anxiety and poor sleep quality due to their physical and psychological conditions. The patients were divided into two groups. One group did PMR for 20 to 30 minutes a day, 3 days in a row. The other group just received routine care and treatment. After 3 days, the researchers determined that the patients who did PMR showed a significant decrease in anxiety and an improvement in sleep quality compared to the group who only received routine care. Additionally, in a , PMR helped mothers with premature babies sleep better during the postpartum period. If you tend to carry tension in your neck or shoulders, you might experience neck pain. It’s a common condition that’s often associated with mental and emotional stress. According to a , PMR may help reduce symptoms of chronic nonspecific neck pain. In doing so, it may also improve quality of life and physical function. Low back pain is another common condition. It has many potential causes, but stress can make it worse. A found that 8 weeks of PMR may help decrease chronic low back pain. Another discovered that PMR, accompanied by music, has the ability to decrease low back pain in pregnant women. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. Stress can worsen the condition, but PMR may help. In a , PMR with music therapy improved systolic blood pressure in older adults. A study done in 2018, which used PMR by itself, also found that it had the ability to significantly improve systolic blood pressure in adults with high blood pressure. In both studies, however, it didn’t seem to have an effect on diastolic blood pressure. Migraine is a neurological condition that causes intense pain in your face and head. Migraine attacks can be triggered by stress, including normal everyday stressors. According to a , PMR can decrease the frequency of migraine episodes. The researchers believe it helps by balancing levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that’s often low in people with migraine. Emotional stress can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, a condition that leads to stiffness and locking of the jaw. A found that the calming effect of PMR may help reduce TMJ symptoms. The study’s participants experienced less intense pain and tension after practicing the technique.

How to do progressive muscle relaxation PMR is an easy technique to do at home. You don’t need any special equipment or gear. All you need is focus, attention, and a quiet spot where you won’t be distracted. The key with this technique is to tense each muscle group and hold for 5 seconds. Then, you exhale as you let your muscles fully relax for 10 to 20 seconds before you move on to the next muscle group.

If you’re new to relaxation techniques or PMR, consider these helpful tips: Set aside 15 to 20 minutes for PMR. Do it in a quiet, comfortable area. Turn off your phone to avoid distractions. Avoid holding your breath, which can cause more tension. Inhale deeply when you tense your muscles and exhale fully when you relax. Move in a sequence that works for you. For example, you can start at your head if you want to, and move down your body. Practice PMR even when you’re feeling calm, especially in the beginning. This will make it easier to learn the method. It may help to listen to a PMR recording. This way, you can follow the steps without constantly thinking about the instructions. Here’s where you can find guided audio recordings: A mental health professional, such as a therapist, can also guide you through this relaxation technique.

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a relaxation technique. It involves tensing and then relaxing your muscles, one by one. This helps you release physical tension, which may ease stress and anxiety. Research has shown that PMR offers a range of benefits, including pain relief and better sleep. It may also reduce migraine attacks, systolic blood pressure, and TMJ symptoms. You can do PMR in the comfort of your own home. Practice the technique regularly for best results. Over time, it may help you feel more relaxed and mentally calmer.