How is PMR carried out?

Finally we are at the stage where you find out how to perform PMR! Some people carry out this technique in different ways, but the simplest way is to go through each muscle group individually from head to toe.

Before we get into the step-by-step instructions, it is important to set up the environment appropriately for the client, whether the session is going to be carried out in an activities room on the ward, in a sensory room or at the client’s home. For example, the occupational therapist that facilitated the PMR session on the inpatient ward during my previous placement (mentioned in the previous post), set up the room before the clients had arrived at 9am. She lay out the correct amount of mattresses according to the number of clients that were attending, pulled the curtains , set up the stereo in order to start playing the calming nature music, and brought the blankets/weighted items out of the cupboard so the clients were able to choose these individually if desired. It is important to organise the environment in such a way as it provides the client to freedom of choice, which is what us occupational therapists strongly believe in! It is also vital that the client is comfortable during the PMR session as the key aim of this intervention is to generate feelings of relief and ensure the client feels safe and secure.

To begin the PMR session, start with closing your eyes and taking in three deep breaths (deep breathing explained in a previous post). When exhaling, imagine all of the tension from your body flowing away.

Now clench both of your fists and hold them tightly clenched for 7-10 seconds. Now release your fists and relax for 15-20 seconds. These time intervals can be used for each of the muscle groups.

Moving on to the next muscle group, tighten your biceps by drawing your forearms up to your shoulders and hold… now relax (Bourne, 2005).

That was a short preview of what the facilitator would say to the client during the PMR session. Sessions can vary in time from 20-40 minutes, but here is a short video that you may want to watch which provides more detail:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x3tl81NW3w

References:

Bourne, E. J. (2005). The anxiety & phobia workbook (4^th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.