There are a variety of techniques that involve the use of touch, pressure, and massage as a way to heal and strengthen the body while simultaneously relaxing the mind and soothing the emotions. Some techniques, like neuromuscular massage, are modern while others, like laying on of hands, are part of Christian religious traditions, and others, like acupuncture, are based on Eastern traditions. A variety of techniques can be learned to relax the body and the mind. Progressive muscle relaxation involves alternately tensing and relaxing muscle groups in order to train the body to be able to relax deeply. Other relaxation techniques involve the use of visual imagery.
Many audio tapes are available and can be used to learn how to relax.
Biofeedback involves taking a bodily process that is related to stress or tension and, by using electrophysiological equipment, turning it into a visual or audio signal. Muscle tension, skin resistance, skin temperature, blood flow, and heart rate can all be captured by equipment and made audible or visible. Making the physiological process something you can be aware of allows you to gradually learn how to control it. For example, you can learn to relax the muscles in your forehead by trying to lower the sound of a tone and this will help with the treatment and prevention of tension headaches. There are many forms of meditation, but they are all similar in that they involve a quieting of the mind and the body and a focusing of awareness.