The Relaxation Response has been shown to work well in helping to relieve many
different ailments. The table below is based on the book The Relaxation Revolution
by Herbert Benson, M.D. and William Procotor, J.D., 2010. The Reference column shows
which page number in that book shows specific guidelines for relieving the ailment
on that row. Note that for the ailments that reference p. 200, one of the
standard techniques is suggested.
Some of the ailments shown under the Nervous System and Psychology group affect
the mind as well as the body. These items are discussed further in the
mind section of this website.
| Ailment Group | Ailment | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lung System | Bronchial Asthma | RRev p. 200 | |
| Lung System | Cough | RRev p. 200 | |
| Heart System | Angina Pectoris | Chest pain caused by heart disease | RRev p. 112 |
| Heart System | Hypertension | High Blood Pressure | RRev p. 128 |
| Heart System | Premature Ventricular Contractions and Palpitations | Extra or Skipped Heartbeats | RRev p. 190 |
| Heart System | Congestive Heart Failure | RRev p. 200 | |
| Heart System | Hostility and Anger | Has been linked to heart attacks | RRev p. 200 |
| Skin | Allergic Skin Reactions | RRev p. 200 | |
| Digestion | Nausea | RRev p. 144 | |
| Digestion | Abdominal Pain | RRev p. 152 | |
| Digestion | Constipation | RRev p. 200 | |
| Digestion | Diabetes Mellitus | RRev p. 200 | |
| Digestion | Duodenal Ulcers | RRev p. 200 | |
| Digestion | Obesity | RRev p. 200 | |
| Reproduction | Infertility | Stress Related | RRev p. 132 |
| Reproduction | Menopausal, Perimenopausal and Breast Cancer Hot Flashes | RRev p. 139 | |
| Reproduction | Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) | RRev p. 197 | |
| Reproduction | Impotency related to stress or performance anxiety | RRev p. 200 | |
| Bones | Backache | Lower back pain or sciatica | RRev p. 154 |
| Bones | Joint Pain | RRev p. 163 | |
| Bones | Knee Pain | RRev p. 165 | |
| Bones | Neck and Shoulder Pain | RRev p. 168 | |
| Nervous System | Pain | General Pain | RRev p. 147 |
| Nervous System | Headache | Tension, Migraine, Cluster | RRev p. 158 |
| Nervous System | Parkinson’s Disease | RRev p. 176 | |
| Nervous System | Drowsiness | RRev p. 200 | |
| Nervous System | Fatigue and Dizziness | RRev p. 200 | |
| Nervous System | Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | RRev p. 200 | |
| Nervous System | Tinnitus | Sensation of sounds | RRev p. 200 |
| Psychology | Anxiety | RRev p. 117 | |
| Psychology | Depression | RRev p. 123 | |
| Psychology | Insomnia | RRev p. 134 | |
| Psychology | Headache | Tension, Migraine, Cluster | RRev p. 158 |
| Psychology | Surgical Preparation | RRev p. 169 | |
| Psychology | Phobias | e.g. Claustrophobia | RRev p. 178, 183 |
| Psychology | Premature Aging | RRev p. 186 | |
| Psychology | Drowsiness | RRev p. 200 | |
| Psychology | Fatigue and Dizziness | RRev p. 200 | |
| Psychology | Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | RRev p. 200 | |
| Psychology | Tinnitus | Sensation of sounds | RRev p. 200 |
| Viruses | Herpes Simplex | Cold Sores | RRev p. 200 |