Definition: Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a tension-reducing technique that involves the systematic tension and relaxing of specific muscle groups. Starting with the muscles in the face, the participant completely tenses all muscles and holds the tension for several seconds (usually to the count of ten), completely relaxes for the same period of time, then repeats the process with the next set of muscles (the neck, the shoulders, etc.) until every area of the body has been relaxed. With practice, the participant learns to completely relax the body within seconds and keep from storing up tension and stress in the body, a practice known as Deep Muscle Relaxation.
Also Known As: PMR
