Paradoxical Relaxation

Book excerpt: This book describes the method of Paradoxical Relaxation, a method initially used and studied by researchers at Stanford University in the Department of Urology for the treatment of male and female chronic pelvic pain syndromes. This method has been one of the major components of the Wise-Anderson Protocol for pelvic pain, popularly known for many years as the Stanford Protocol. Paradoxical Relaxation was designed by David Wise to assist patients to profoundly relax, who were experiencing both pain and anxiety. The strength of the method of Paradoxical Relaxation is that it addresses the microphysical and psychological events that are obstacles to profound relaxation, especially for individuals who experience anxiety and physical distress. Enclosed with the Third Edition is a recorded lesson in Paradoxical Relaxation (in two versions) on CD.