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Frances, Thanks for reading and writing. I cannot say that I have succeeded in learning to "positive think" relaxation. It does seem to sometimes help to try to relax whatever tension(s) are affecting me at the moment. The "rule" of learning: practice .. practice ... practice.. must apply to re-training (or teaching cognitive control of any body (even autonomic) function) ... this translates simply into trying to focus on relaxing the muscle tension. If attempted often enough, the neural network will build, increase, amplify, or reinforce the feedback and control networks necessary. It may also be possible to use some sort of skin (temperature or dampness perhaps) monitor attachhed to the area affected with a meter showing you when some mental effort is affecting that monitor needle. This is used in biofeedback, but I am not expert nor knowledgeable of much specifically used. Perhaps using a vibrator device will help. Help to relax muscles comes from a Sears brand "swedish massage" vibrator (eccentric weighted rotor) that I have had for years. It is sort of attached to the back of one hand by inserting the fingers . all four through one group of extensible coiled wire strap and the middle two fingers through another horter set of spring-strap. Turning on the motor vibrates the hand and fingers and these can be applied to any part of the anatomy externally. Neck muscles for instance. There are many types of stimulators sold. George Burns advertised one. If the expectation of relief is high, placebo effect will occur for a touch, healer, or vibrator. This includes the good effects of a friend rubbing your back or tummy. Maybe just lying down on a bed or comfortable chair or sofa will get one away - distract us as you said - from whatever got the tension started. ron 1936, dz PD 1984 Ronald F. Vetter <[log in to unmask]> http://www1.ridgecrest.ca.us/~rfvetter/