FAST FACTS: Relaxation

Relaxation is a state or condition of being free from anxiety and muscle tension.

Benefits of Relaxation:

• Relives pain by:
  • Loosening tense muscles
  • Distracting individual from pain and symptoms
  • Decreasing stress
  • Helping to code

Relaxation Techniques:

• Deep breathing
• Listening to music
• Thinking of peaceful images
• Repeating the same word or phrase over and over
• Meditation

What Else Should You Do:

• Write down and share information about your pain with your healthcare provider
• Consider using a Pain Diary to note important information useful to the provider
• Try a this and/or another non-drug treatment and document the impact on your pain in your Pain Diary

Reference:

Adapted from: 1. Fouladbakhsh, J.M., et al., Nondrug therapies for pain management among rural older adults. Pain Manag Nurs, 2011. 12(2): p. 70-81. 2. The Nursing Home Pain Management Algorithm Clinical Trial, R01 NR009100,  7/1/05 – 4/30/10; Mary Ersek (PI) Used with permission of Mary Ersek and HPNA (2009).