Autogenic Training: A Mind-Body Approach to the Treatment of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome

Discover a scientifically supported method to reduce chronic pain! Autogenic Training: A Mind-Body Approach to the Treatment of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome is the most comprehensive book ever written on autogenic training and its uses in the treatment of chronic pain, fibromyalgia, CFS, and other chronic conditions. Autogenic training is one of the most well-established, well-researched methods of enhancing the body's natural, self-recuperative mechanisms. It is the only mind-body technique with an origin in sound medical research, and as a result, it benefits from a solid theoretical foundation that explains how and why it works. This unique book effectively combines research, theory, and practice perspectives so that practitioners, instructors, and students can benefit from its content without having to rely on other texts and treatment manuals for clarification and guidance. Autogenic Training: A Mind-Body Approach to the Treatment of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome is divided into three sections. The first brings you: * an exploration of the connection between stress and chronic pain * a comprehensive overview of the literature on fibromyalgia * scientifically supported stress management techniquesThe second section: * reviews the history of autogenic training * discusses the requirements that must be fulfilled for the effective use of autogenic techniques in clinical practiceThe third section of Autogenic Training: A Mind-Body Approach to the Treatment of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome consists of a detailed, step-by-step manual for autogenic training. Each "training session" concludes with an actual case presentation that illustrates the use of autogenic training in the treatment of a variety of psychophysiological (mind-body) conditions. This section also features a chapter dedicated to the most commonly asked questions about autogenic training and their answers. In addition to providing excellent reading material for clinical treatment, Autogenic Training: A Mind-Body Approach to the Treatment of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome can be effectively used as a textbook for teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in psychology, nursing, and medicine.

Table of Contents:
Contents * Foreword * Preface * Organization of the Book * Acknowledgments * Introduction * Part I: Theoretical Aspects of Chronic Pain and Stress * Chapter 1. Fibromyalgia Pain Syndrome: A Brief Review of the Literature * Depression and Anxiety As Concomitants of Fibromyalgia * Fibromyalgia and Sleep Disturbance * Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome * Physical Criteria for the Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia * Treatment Interventions * Biofeedback, Relaxation Therapy, and Hypnosis * Physical Therapy Interventions * Fibromyalgia and Psychobiological Disregulation * Chapter 2. Stress and Pain * The Concept of Stress * Models of Stress * Psychophysiology of Stress * Chapter 3. Methods of Stress Management * Stress Management Techniques * Models of Relaxation * Summary * Part II: History and Principles of Autogenic Training * Chapter 4. Autogenic Training: Its History and Basic Principles * The Birth of Autogenic Training * Elements of the Autogenic Process * Conclusions * Chapter 5. Autogenic Training: Medical and Psychological Screening * Medical Screening * Psychological Screening * Chapter 6. Requirements for Achieving the Autogenic State * Lessons from Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy * Restricted Environmental Stimulation and Stress Management * The First Requirement: Reducing Environmental Stimulation * The Second Requirement: Passive Concentration * The Third Requirement: Making Mental Contact with a Specific Body Part or Function * The Fourth Requirement: Repetition of Specific Phrases (Formulas) * The Fifth Requirement: Daily Practice * Quick Summary * Part III: Training, Biofeedback, and Treatment of Insomnia * Chapter 7. The Preliminary Exercises * General Instructions * Preliminary Exercise I * Preliminary Exercise II * Remarks * Chapter 8. The First Standard Exercise: Heaviness * Introducing the First Exercise * The Brief Exercise * The Extended Exercise * Common Difficulties with the First Standard Exercise * Case Example * Chapter 9. The Second Standard Exercise: Warmth * The Warmth Exercise * Common Difficulties with the Second Standard Exercise * Case Example * Chapter 10. The Third Standard Exercise: Heart * The Heart Exercise * Common Difficulties with the Third Standard Exercise * Case Example * Chapter 11. The Fourth Standard Exercise: Respiration * The Respiration exercise * Common Difficulties with the Fourth Standard Exercise * Case Example * Chapter 12. The Fifth Standard Exercise: Abdominal Warmth * The Abdominal Warmth Exercise * Common Difficulties with the Fifth Standard Exercise * Case Example * Chapter 13. The Sixth Standard Exercise: Forehead Cooling * The Forehead Cooling Exercise * Common Difficulties with the sixth Standard Exercise * Case Example * Chapter 14. Advanced Autogenic Training * The Abbreviated Sequence for Replenishment * The Use of the Organ-Specific Formulas * The Use of the Intentional Formulas * The Technique of Autogenic Meditation * Meditative Exercise 1: Automatic or Spontaneous Visualization of Colors * Meditative Exercise 2: The Visualization of Suggested Colors * Meditative Exercise 3: The Visualization of Definable or Concrete Objects * Meditative Exercise 4: The Visualization of Certain Concepts * Meditative Exercise 5: The Experience of a State of Feeling * Meditative Exercise 6. Visualization of Other People * Meditative Exercise 7: The Insight Meditation * Some Final Thoughts About the Meditative Exercises * Case Example * Chapter 15. Autogenic Training and Biofeedback * What Is Biofeedback? * What Is Autogenic Biofeedback * Are Biofeedback Instruments Necessary for Autogenic Training? * Chapter 16. Sleep, Insomnia, and Pain * The Stages of Sleep * Reducing Cognitive Anxiety * Improving Sleep * Autogenic Training and Sleep * Chapter 17. Questions and Answers * Appendix A. The Autogenic Pain and Tension Checklists * Appendix B. The Autogenic Training Progress Index * References * Index * Reference Notes Included