Autogenics Training – Practising Pain Control 

Learning to manage pain and discomfort

Early in the 1930’s Johannes Schults and Wolfgang Luthe  helped many of their patients learn how to cope with chronic pain through a form of Autogenics training. Autogenics means ‘self-generated’ and this practice involves learning how to generate feelings of warmth and heaviness in the body. It is unlike progressive relaxation where muscles are tensed and then released in order to recognise tension in the body. Autogenics involves no movement and allows the body to relax passively in order not to aggravate conditions that cause pain and fatigue.  Often the body braces and tightens against pain restricting blood flow and breathing becomes sharp and shallow. This tension alters the way we move. Compensation patterns within the body then occur, making the existing problem worse and often adding complications to recovery.  

Teaching your mind and body to relax and breathe properly can be of great benefit to recovery from many serious illnesses, lower back pain and joint pain can be eased by this powerful, yet simple method of pain control. Often anxiety states, panic attacks, intruding thoughts and depression can be managed and quality of life and daily mental, as well as physical functioning can be improved.  Autogenics can be especially useful as a form of pain management, to help increase circulation and encouraged correct breathing patterns. Using particular phrases and imagery you can learn to manage and even decrease pain.  

The beauty of Autogenics is, once you have practiced and embraced the method, you can do it yourself, any where and at anytime. Initially you will need to take time to learn how to relax the mind and body, but once you feel confident you can put the technique to practice anywhere. Sitting in a traffic jam, in a stressful meeting at work, on a crowded tube train or whenever you feel tension and panic start to arise.

Audio 1

An Introduction to Autogenics Training by Keith Bradley

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Learn to use breathing and awareness of your body in this introduction to Autogenics training audio to manage pain and discomfort.