When the idea behind biofeedback of training people to warm their hands to reduce their migraine headaches was developed at the Menninger Clinic in the 60′s, the technique they taught people was “autogenic training.”
It essentially is a technique developed by a combination of positive thinking and self-hypnosis; the participant goes through a series of statements about the body (e.g., “My hands are warm and heavy”) that help induce a relaxed state. It also becomes a conditioned response: the body learns to associate the phrase “My hands are warm” with a state of relaxation, so that after several weeks just saying the phrase initiates a relaxation response.
I would suggest that it is used best a part of a comprehensive relaxation approach, which also includes visualization (tomorrow’s post), progressive relaxation, meditation, and whatever else works for you to help you get into a relaxed state.
