Component Task: Relaxation Therapy to a Client in the Community

This is a therapy the RCPN uses to help client experiencing psychological stress. It may involve tensing and relaxing muscles throughout the body. The therapist assists the client to focus the mind on positive self and global images through meditations.

Aims

·         Help decrease the physical and psychological effects of stress on the client

·         Relaxes client to cope better

·         Prevent relapse/complications

·         Reduce muscle tension, stress, blood pressure and control pain

Requirements

·         Serene environment

·         Quiet and dim room

·         Clean floor

·         Bed/mat

·         Arm chair

·         Source of relaxed music at low volume

·         Means of Transportation

Steps

1.        Establish rapport (refer to procedure) and explain procedure to client

2.      Inform client about the therapy session, time, venue and goals

3.      Inform client about the various positions (e.g. lying or sitting) suitable for the therapy

4.      Guide the client to select the desired position for the therapy

5.      Organize the setting for the therapy following client’s choice of position

6.      Background of the setting must have characterized by a relaxed, soft or slow music

7.       Ensure client assumes the chosen position and start the session

8.      Ask client to breath in deeply, slowly then breath out and relax the eyes

9.      Ask client to close eyes tightly and relax them

10.    Ask client to first relax jaw and mouth then hold mouth tightly together, cling teeth and relax jaw afterwards

11.      Ask client to hang the shoulders up and down and relax

12.    Ask client to relax arms and then hold arms out

13.    Ask client to make a fist of the hand and slowly relax the arms

14.    Ask client to breath in deeply and breath out

15.    Ask client to relax the legs and feet

16.    Ask client to hold legs out in front of you and slowly relax the feet down

17.    Communicate areas of progress and where client needs improvement

18.    Allow client to express likes and or dislikes of the session and therapist

19.    Document the procedure and inform the client, date and time of the next session

20.  Congratulate client for successfully completing the session and close the session