So how can you perform or facilitate progressive muscle relaxation?

Progressive muscle relaxation can be performed as a group intervention or as one-on-one intervention, dependent on characteristics of the client and their potential risks to self and others. When utilising group intervention, it is best to ensure that participants are not likely to distract or influence others around them, and also that they feel comfortable enough around other people to fully participate in the progressive muscle exercises. If there is concern regarding a client's potential to be involved in group settings, then they may benefit from a one-on-one progressive muscle relaxation session. Sessions can be facilitated by the occupational therapist or by one of the many audio resources available for purchase.

As an occupational therapist you would generally get the client/s to lie down on soft but firm surface with their hands loosely at their sides or on top of their thighs. Some people might like to have a pillow under their head to feel comfortable. It is best to first get the client to focus on their breathing, encouraging them to slowly breath in through the nose, hold for a second and breath out through the mouth, ensuring breathing is done from the diaphragm. Deep breathing is a relaxation method often utilised on it's own, however during my placement experience it was encouraged throughout the progressive muscle relaxation sessions to further facilitate deep relaxation, a concept supported in many of the audio and script examples of progressive muscle relaxation (Leary, 1994).

The following clip is an example of a potential guide to progressive muscle relaxation, although some of the resources available for purchase are easier to listen to. And there are many other books which give a template for the professional to read from, should they choose to facilitate the session in that way. Audio CDs also work well; people can make their own with a timing and sequence to suit themselves (Leary, 1994).

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYsuvRNZfxE&feature=related

Remember to reinforce that it is not expected for client's to feel completely relaxed after the first time they perform progressive muscle relaxation, it can take time and practice to fully reap the benefits and experience deep relaxation.