Paradoxical Relaxation : The Theory and Practice of Dissolving Anxiety by Accepting It

This book describes the method of Paradoxical Relaxation, a method initially used and studied by researchers at Stanford University in the Department of Urology for the treatment of male and female chronic pelvic pain syndromes. This method has been one of the major components of the Wise-Anderson Protocol for pelvic pain, popularly known for many years as the Stanford Protocol. Paradoxical Relaxation was designed by David Wise to assist patients to profoundly relax, who were experiencing both pain and anxiety. The strength of the method of Paradoxical Relaxation is that it addresses the microphysical and psychological events that are obstacles to profound relaxation, especially for individuals who experience anxiety and physical distress.

David Wise, Ph.D. is the co-author of the best-selling book, A Headache in the Pelvis describing the Wise-Anderson Protocol, a new treatment for chronic pelvic pain syndromes, which he co-developed at Stanford University with Dr. Rodney Anderson. He is the director of the National Center for Pelvic Pain Research, conducts research, and treats patients with pelvic pain in a monthly six-day clinic in California. He treats patients with a variety of anxiety-related disorders using Paradoxical Relaxation.