SM 550: RELAXATION STRATEGIES
course information
This online Continuing education course provides a comprehensive overview of breath work, concentration and the physiological effects on the central nervous system. Students learn anatomy and physiology related to breath work, as well as physiology and anatomy of the central nervous system. The focus is on learning various types of breath work, the use of concentration and mantras, and the elicitation of the relaxation response. Students will study research outcomes related to meditation and its positive effects on over all health and well being of participants. Many disease states are reviewed, along with research oriented outcomes related to the many benefits and positive outcomes of meditation as an intervention and modality in a stress management program. Students also practice and become proficient in several types of meditative & relaxation techniques. Spiritual issues related to meditation are also explored. Course Code: SM 550 . Contact hours of education = 25.
Pre-requisite: you must have successfully completed SM 530 before you can begin this course.
This course is particularly designed for those who would like to apply for Certification as a Certified Stress Management Consultant by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc,.
This is a guided, independent study CEU Course. You are to study and progress at your own rate. There are no written assignments. It is recommended that you follow this process for completing the course:
Instructor/Course Author: Dominick L. Flarey, Ph.D, MBA, RN,BC, CH-C, FACHE
Link to Resume
E-mail: info@aihcp.org
TIME FRAME: You are allotted two years from the date of enrollment, to complete all of the courses in this hypnotherapy program. There are no set time-frames, other than the two year allotted time. If you do not complete the courses within the two-year time-frame, you will be removed from the course and an "incomplete" will be recorded for you in our records. Also, if you would like to complete the courses after this two-year expiration time, you would need to register and pay the course tuition fee again.
TEXTBOOKS & TAPES/CDs:
- The Relaxation Response. By, Herbert Benson. New York:Avon Books.1975 ISBN #: 0380006766
Link to order online: amazon.com
- Beyond the Relaxation Response. By, Herbert Benson. New York:Berkley Books.1984. ISBN #: 0425081834
Link to order online: amazon.com
- Breathing: The Master Key to Self Healing. Audio cassette by Dr. Andrew Weil. Boulder:Sounds True. 1999. ISBN #: 1564557308
Link to order online: amazon.com
Note: the required books and audio cassette program are very likely in-stock at your local bookstores, or your local bookstores can order them for you.
You are required to order your own copy of the textbook and the set of tapes/CD's. Please be sure to order your book and tapes as soon as possible so that you can begin your course of study. This book is commonly stocked in most popular bookstores in the USA.
Instructor: Your instructor for this course is Dominick L. Flarey, Ph.D, DCH, RN,BC, MI-C, CH-C, FACHE a certified clinical hypnotherapist and the executive director of the American College of Hypnotherapy. Access information.
GRADING: You must achieve a passing score of at least 70% to complete this course and receive the 25 hours of awarded continuing education credit. There are no letter grades assigned. You will receive notice of your total % score. Those who score below the minimum of 70% will be contacted by the and options for completing additional course work to achieve a passing score, will be presented.
Additional CE Option: this course is approved by CCMS, Inc., which is an approved provider with NBCC (National Board of Certified Counselors). CCMS, Inc., is also a continuing education provider with NAADAC,, CASAC (California), OASAS, the states of Wyoming, Montana, Arkansas, Idaho and many others. CCMS, Inc. offers our students the option of applying for and receiving a CE certificate for this course. Their CE certificate means that your course will show evidence of NBCC approval, as well as the other approvals which CCMS, Inc. provides. The fees for CE certificates with course approvals from CCMS, Inc. are very reasonable. Full information is provided in our online classrooms for enrolled students.
ONLINE COMMUNITY MESSAGE BOARDS: Enrolled students have full access to our online Student Community Message Boards. These message boards allow students in our CE courses to meet each other, communicate online, share information, discuss topics of study and interest and much more. Full access is provided via the online classrooms.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. List and discuss common diseases/conditions that are related to stress.
2. Define and discuss the "flight-fight" response in the body.
3. Describe the anatomy/physiology of the brain and nervous system related to the "flight-fight" response.
4. Discuss the physiology of neurotransmitters.
5. Discuss and understand the physiology of the parasympathetic nervous system.
6. Understand and describe the elicitation of the relaxation response.
7. Describe what is meant by hypertension and define its pathological effects on the body.
8. Describe the condition of chronic arousal of the flight-fight response.
9. Understand how biofeedback works to reduce stress.
10. Define the various levels of brain waves and their effect on consciousness and relation to stress, relaxation and meditation.
11. Define the concept and practice of meditation.
12. List and discuss the physiological effects of meditation on the body.
13. Discuss how meditation leads to relaxation and stress reduction.
14. Understand the differences between meditation, hypnosis and the relaxation response.
15. Define common physiological changes that occur in hypnosis.
16. Define and discuss the concepts of yoga and autogenic training.
17. Discuss the potential for altered states of consciousness that occur in meditation practice.
18. Define and discuss the central factors that lead to elicitation of the relaxation response.
19. Understand Yoga meditation and the ways in which it is performed.
20. Understand research studies related to the relaxation response and its effect on blood pressure.
21. Define potential difficulties for elicitation of the relaxation response.
22. Discuss the use of mantras in meditation practice.
23. Define how you will teach a patient to elicit the relaxation response.
24. Relate practices of meditation to various world religions.
25. Describe and discuss the "faith factor."
26. Define placebo and how it has been used in studies related to meditation.
27. Discuss issues of "trust" and "belief" and how they impact physician/patient relationships.
28. Review and understand outcome studies related to mental states and emotions in disease states.
29. Discuss how one can have more conscious control over elicitation of relaxation.
30. Define "prana" and what it means in relation to meditation.
31. Discuss and demonstrate proper breath from a physical standpoint.
32. Explain outcomes related to breath work and spirituality.
33. Discuss possible dangers and pitfalls of excessive use of breathing strategies.
34. Describe the manifestations of an over-active sympathetic nervous system.
35. Define "bellows breath" and how it is used/elicited.
36. Practice and evaluate several types of breath work interventions.
Course Content:
1. Anatomy/physiology related to stress responses on the central nervous system.
2. Neurotransmitters and hormones that influence flight-fight reactions.
3. The relaxation response
4. Disease states linked to chronic stress
5. Bodily response measurements in flight-fight reactions
6. Elements for eliciting the relaxation response
7. Cellular physiology related to stress and the relaxation response
8. Hypertension and its pathologic consequences
9. Organs of the body targeted and effected by stress
10. Types/classifications of hypertension
11. Anatomy/physiology of the brain related to flight-fight response
12. Chronic stress and disease
13. Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
14. Biofeedback
15. Brain wave activity and measurements
16. Physiological responses to meditation
17. Hypnosis and trance states
18. Yoga
19. Autogenic training
20. Research studies related to meditation and disease states
21. Effects of meditation on drug users
22. Meditation and states of consciousness
23. Mantras
24. Feelings/emotions elicited by meditation practices
25. Meditation and religious practices
26. The "faith factor" and its effects on disease states
27. Body testing during meditation
28. Psychogenic epidemics
29. The "faith factor" and its effects on terminal illnesses
30. The placebo effect
31. Bellows breath
32. Effective breathing strategies
33. Autonomic nervous system control
34. Meditation and spiritual awareness
35. Aggravating factors of various disease states
36. Prana
37. Overuse of breath work strategies
38. Breath work and physiologic changes
39. Evaluation of breath work strategies