Pain Management using Autogenics and Relaxation instead of Medicaton

What kind of success has anyone had with using Autogenics and Relaxation techniques in addition to or instead of pain medication?  My doctor has suggested that I do not take any pain medication  at all once he tapers me off and do relaxation and autogenics instead.  I would love to do this, but it scares me to death.  Does anyone have any experience actually coping with the pain this way?