Benefits of the Relaxation Response

Body organs helped by the Relaxation Response - heart, lungs, brain

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