Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Techniques on Chronic Pain in Dissertation - 1

Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Techniques on Chronic Pain in Cancer Patients - Dissertation Example As the discussion declares studies relating to methods of pain relief in cancer patients using alternative methods of pain relief, other than pharmacological-based methods, are inconclusive on the effect of relaxation towards alleviating pain. In view of the fact that pharmacological methods use is prominent among cancer patients, these drugs exposes them to serious side effects such as loss of effectiveness with time or even inadequate pain relief among other side effects. NPPRIs are complementary pain management approaches and they include cutaneous stimulation such as massages, transcutaneous electrical stimulation and cognitive behavioral such as relaxation techniques. Muscle tension is minimized through relaxation techniques as they create powerful distractions. Cancer pain relief through relaxation techniques such as PMR is gaining ground among patients. PMR, as a relaxation technique, may break the cycle of pain, anxiety and reduce muscle tension. This review will examine evid ence of PMR where it is linked to relieving chronic pain in cancer patients. Data will be mined from systematic literature and analysed so as to identify the role, effectiveness and degree onto which PMR techniques can be used to relief pain in cancer patients. According to the research findings progressive muscle relaxation, a non pharmacological pain relief intervention (NPPRI) technique, involves the systematic tensing and relaxing of skeletal muscles of the body. PMR may involve a few muscles for patients in acute pain in a clinical environment.