Autogenic training is a relaxation technique that has been used to alleviate stress-induced disorders since its inception. Developed by German psychiatrist Johannes Heinrich Schultz in 1932, this method involves self-suggestions to induce relaxation and influence the autonomic nervous system. The technique has evolved over time, gaining popularity across the globe and being integrated into various therapeutic practices.
Early Beginnings
The concept of autogenic training
was first introduced by Schultz in 1926 to the Medical Society in Berlin. Disenchanted with psychoanalysis, Schultz sought new therapeutic methods, drawing inspiration from his work with German neurologist Oscar Vogt. Together, they researched sleep and hypnosis, discovering that hypnotized individuals often experienced sensations of heaviness and warmth in their limbs. Schultz hypothesized that imagining these sensations could lead to self-hypnosis, allowing patients to enter a hypnotic state for a self-determined period.
Schultz's initial experiments showed promising results, as patients reported reduced stress and fatigue without the side effects commonly associated with other relaxation techniques. This led Schultz to develop a set of six exercises known as autogenic training, which focused on passive concentration and self-suggestion to achieve relaxation.
Expansion and Popularization
Autogenic training gained traction in North America and the English-speaking world thanks to Wolfgang Luthe, a German physician who worked under Schultz. Luthe investigated the effects of autogenic training on physical and mental health issues, eventually immigrating to Canada and writing about the technique in English. His efforts, along with Schultz's collaboration, resulted in the publication of Autogenic Therapy in 1969, a multi-volume text that detailed the method and brought it to a wider audience.
Luthe's disciple, Luis de Rivera, further expanded the technique by introducing psychodynamic concepts, developing autogenic analysis as a new method for uncovering the unconscious. This adaptation allowed autogenic training to be used in a broader range of therapeutic contexts.
Modern Applications
Today, autogenic training is practiced worldwide and has been integrated into various therapeutic practices. In 2015, biofeedback practitioners began incorporating elements of autogenic imagery into their techniques, using hand warming imagery to develop thermal biofeedback. This integration has allowed autogenic training to be used in combination with other relaxation methods, enhancing its effectiveness.
Autogenic training continues to be recommended for individuals experiencing psychosocial problems, as it has been shown to improve quality of life and reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Its ability to restore balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system makes it a valuable tool in promoting overall health and well-being.
