reciprocal inhibition

reciprocal inhibition,

the theory in behavior therapy that, if an anxiety-producing stimulus occurs simultaneously with a response that diminishes anxiety, the stimulus may cause less anxiety. For example, deep chest or abdominal breathing and relaxation of the deep muscles appear to diminish anxiety and pain in childbirth. See also systemic desensitization.

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reciprocal inhibition (rē·siˑ·pr·kl inˈ·h·biˑ·shn),

n muscle energy technique (MET) used to remedy joint and muscle dysfunction. This technique is used when the agonist muscles in need of stretching have experienced trauma or are other-wise painful when contracted. The stronger, antagonist muscles are manipulated instead to create a give-and-take toning effect in both the groups.

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reciprocal inhibition

Psychiatry In behavior therapy, the hypothesis that if anxiety-provoking stimuli occur simultaneously with inhibition of anxiety–ie, relaxation, the link between the stimulus and the anxiety is weakened