Behavioral Component

Relaxation training is used to alleviate anxiety and help you prepare for sleep. It may be accomplished using one of several techniques that target different systems in your body, including:

* Progressive muscle relaxation – relieves muscle tension

* Diaphragmatic breathing - resembles the form of breathing that naturally occurs when one is asleep

* Autogenic training - focuses on increasing blood flow to the legs and arms

Your therapist will select the best relaxation method for you based upon which technique is easiest for you to learn, which is the best approach for your particular sleep problem, and which technique will not be a problem because of other medical conditions. With respect to this last point, an example would be that progressive muscle relaxation would not be an ideal choice for an individual with a neuromuscular disorder such as muscular dystrophy.

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