British Autogenic Society

6: Clinical Applications of AT
AT has wide potential for the treatment of various medical conditions. The treatment of a number of these conditions with AT have been closely documented by Luthe (see references below).

For general problems, such as insomnia and free-floating anxiety, significant improvement can often occur within a few weeks. Clients can often be freed from reliance on tranquillisers and hypnotic drugs. More deep-seated problems may require more time and patience on behalf of client and therapist.

Conditions that have responded favourably include migraine, arthritis, colitis, IBS and high blood pressure. Some diabetics have halved the amount of insulin they take after regular use of AT, and in many cases other forms of medication can be reduced.

All candidates for AT meet the therapist before the course for a detailed assessment. If a client has been referred specifically for a medical condition, or if a medical problem emerges during the assessment, then careful monitoring of the client's condition during and after training is indicated. Unless the therapist is medically qualified, this calls for close co-operation between the therapist and the client's physician.

Not a superficial relaxing technique
AT is available as part of the National Health Service (NHS) at the Royal Homeopathic Hospital in London where physicians and psychotherapists have offered courses for the past 20 years. Studies conducted here, at Exeter University and around the world have concluded that AT is a useful tool to help reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality while increasing positive emotions and a sense of personal control.

In Dublin, Ireland it has been used to help treat infertility, after it was found that a proportion of women who failed to conceive had high levels of the stress hormone prolactin, which acts as a natural contraceptive. Prolactin levels dropped and conception rates increased after regular use of AT.

Dr. Malcolm Carruthers, who pioneered the use of AT in the UK, says, 'It's a bridge between alternative and conventional medicine...It has to be emphasised that this is not a superficial relaxation technique. It actually works at quite a deep level. It's good medicine, but it's powerful medicine if it's properly applied.'

A study by Dr Carruthers, Health promotion by mental and physical training, British Journal of Holistic Medicine, 1984: 1 (2: 142-147) has shown that regular use of AT has a significant effect in reducing the resting pulse rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels. A long-term study (Carruthers M, Patel et al Trial of relaxation in reducing coronary risk: 4 year follow-up, BMJ, 290, 1985) has shown it to be effective in reducing the risk of heart attack.

Kermani's study of HIV-infected individuals (Stress, emotions, autogenic training and aids) has shown that AT helped patients to control symptoms such as pain, night sweats, diarrhoea and weight loss. Users of AT also reported an improved quality of life and a more positive outlook. Kermani also reported that individuals had an average survival time of 18 months, greater than those reported elsewhere.

Specific Applications
The table below describes some of the areas in which AT has been successfully applied.