Muscle relaxation techniques: a therapeutic tool for family physicians

Muscle relaxation techniques are important adjunctive therapy for anxiety-related conditions. Family physicians can learn to teach the techniques so as to try helping anxious patients themselves rather than automatically referring them to a psychiatrist. The exercises are generally acceptable to patients, are easy to learn and do not require expensive equipment. They are beneficial in insomnia and tension headache, of some value in chronic anxiety states and a useful adjunct in hypertension. In this paper the evidence supporting the value of muscle relaxation therapy is briefly reviewed, methods of teaching and of practising the techniques are described in detail, and answers to some of the questions and problems that may arise are presented.