Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD
Help your patient lower their PTSD symptoms by having them do the muscle relaxation exercise for PTSD.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What is Trauma and PTSD?
Any deeply disturbing or distressing experience that negatively affects a person’s capability to cope is trauma. For some people, trauma comes in the form of experiences of violence, abuse, and accidents. For others, they come in the form of events like natural disasters and witnessing others experience trauma.
Anyone who witnesses or experiences trauma can develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Their risk of developing said disorder increases even more if they have a genetic predisposition, are previously exposed to traumatic events, have brain chemistry imbalances, and lack social support.
Those with PTSD usually have symptoms like nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks of the event, adverse changes in thinking patterns/moods, hyperarousal, heightened vigilance, and avoidance of the situation associated with the event. And even if multiple people experience or witness the same traumatic event, their symptoms may differ.
PTSD is usually treated with medication and therapy like Cognitive-behavioral therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). With these treatments, clients are expected to manage their symptoms better, process their traumatic experiences, and develop coping strategies.
Printable Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD
Download the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD to improve your client’s well-being.
How to use the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD:
Step One. Access and Download the Template
To access and download the printable and digital “Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD” template, you can do either of the following:
- Click the “Download Template” or “Use Template” button
- Search for “Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD” on Carepatron’s template library’s search bar on the app or website
Step Two. Do the Exercise
If you do the exercise during sessions, have your client lie on a comfortable surface and follow the instructions written on the template you will read aloud.
Otherwise, you can give your client a copy of the template and follow the instructions written on the template.
Step Three. Discuss (Optional)
At this point, you can discuss the experience with your client and determine if it’s effective and can be incorporated into their treatment plan.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD Example
We’ve provided a sample of a filled-out PDF file of the “Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise PTSD” Worksheet for you to use as a guide, visual aid, or educational resource. Do note that any notes written are fictional.
Grab a copy by clicking the example below or the “Download Example PDF” button.
Download this Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD Example:
When would you use this Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD?
Licensed mental health professionals like psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and clinical social workers can use the “Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD” worksheet when their client is experiencing or exhibiting PTSD symptoms. It’s recommended, however, that the client is guided or has practiced how to do the exercise beforehand. So, doing the exercise will be almost second nature to them during emergencies.
What are the benefits of using this Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD?
Improved Self-Awareness
The primary goal of the worksheet is for the client to focus on controlling or being aware of their breathing. Both of these would require a significant amount of self-awareness. Therefore, through the “Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD” worksheet and exercise, the client will consequently hone their self-awareness skills.
Symptom Management
The “Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD” exercise and its worksheet filled with guiding instructions are meant to be used when the client is experiencing or exhibiting PTSD symptoms. When used for this purpose, the worksheet can help manage PTSD short-term and long-term, if effective.
Monitor the Client’s Condition
Not only does the worksheet help the client manage their PTSD symptoms, but through the notes and verbal answers to the inquiry of how frequently the client does the exercise, the referring physician can get an idea of the client’s condition during their recovery period.
Digitally Accessible
Our free “Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD” worksheet isn’t only printable but digitally accessible on a PDF editor or Carepatron on any gadget one has on hand. This feature is beneficial during emergencies when they need easy and quick access to the worksheet.
Commonly asked questions
It can help clients manage their PTSD symptoms and lower them during emergencies.
It’s best used when the client is exhibiting or experiencing PTSD symptoms and needs help managing their feelings.
Referring physicians can use the “Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise for PTSD” with their clients who have PTSD.
