Why Combining Art, Movement, and Medical Science Creates Powerful Therapies

Healthcare through the years has changed significantly. No longer does ‘health care’ mean only a doctor’s prescription or the use of machines. We are entering a new era of healthcare that incorporates the use of a more holistic, innovative and human-centred approach for therapy. One example of this is using the combination of art, movement and medicine into one practice, thus creating an environment that supports overall wellness.

Sancheti Healthcare Academy is an example of a healthcare program that utilizes both movement therapy and other creative therapies in conjunction with traditional medicine to promote psychological and physical healing with a vision to foster full recovery over time. This blog looks at how and why the combination of art and healthcare works so well, and how it is changing the way we deliver care to our patients.

Art Therapy & Movement Therapy in Healthcare

Through movement therapy, practitioners facilitate creative body movement as an avenue for developing/improving emotional, cognitive, physical and social health through understanding the connection between mind and body. By facilitating movement, practitioners provide individuals with a safe environment in which they can express their emotion/s through physical movement (for example, stretching and stress release).

Using expressive artistic mediums such as drawing, painting, dancing, music, drama, and storytelling, art therapy uses creative methods to assist individuals in addressing emotional issues and overcoming emotional barriers that may be contributing to their recovery. Art therapy is a way to assist individuals in having a safe place to express their thoughts and feelings through creative means.

Together, movement therapy and art therapy in the healthcare setting creates a unique holistic approach to healing that takes into consideration the entire individual person, not just their physical or mental health.

How does Medical Science Support Creative Therapies?

Medical science provides the framework, scientific basis, and clinical insight needed to develop and utilize creative therapies. A therapist will utilize scientific knowledge from a variety of sources including anatomy, psychology, and neurology in order to develop safe and effective treatment plans.

Dance Movement Therapy is a prime example of how Dance and Movement Therapy are identified as a form of psychotherapy using the movement of the body to increase the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration within an individual.

The use of clinical principles helps to develop creative therapies which are focused on achieving specific measured outcomes in the areas of mental health, physical rehabilitation, and trauma recovery.

In Therapy Art and Movement Combined: The Many Advantages of Art & Movement Therapy

There are numerous advantages of blending both art and movement during therapy—the main reason why therapists utilize this combined approach is to enhance healing in multiple ways.

1. Better Verbal Expression:

Some individuals may find it difficult to verbally communicate their feelings. Art & movement can act as alternative means for communicating one’s emotions. For example, an individual may express hurt/shock/pain (when being physically abused) by creating an expressive piece of artwork through creative movement and/or visual images.

2. Reduction of Stress & Anxiety:

During times of stress and anxiety, there is a tendency for individuals to have increased amounts of cortisol (the stress hormone) released from the adrenal glands. Gentle forms of movement (such as yoga/exercise/dance) will allow individuals to connect themselves between the environment (metabolic) and the individual body (physiological) in order to reduce stress and anxiety.

3. Improvement in Physical Recovery:

The use of both art and socio-emotional support for an injured person will promote recovery. Studies indicate that creative movement will develop coordination, flexibility, posture, etc. Also, it will develop motor and sensory abilities.

4. Expansion of Mind-Body Connection:

Combining movement with creative techniques to stimulate bodily sensations/emotions encourages greater awareness of how we feel physically and emotionally. It leads to improved self-regulation and self-confidence, as well as improved awareness of one’s own personal needs.

5. Greater Opportunity for Social Interaction:

Art offers opportunities for trust building, empathy, as well as group collaboration. Using art in combination with movement offers children, the elderly, and trauma survivors the opportunity to practice social skills and to receive support from others.

Combining art and movement within the therapeutic setting offers you many different tools as well as opportunities to grow.

The Impact of Movement Therapy on Mental Health and Trauma Services

Movement therapy has a significant impact on mental health services. As a form of expression, movement enables people to understand and manage their feelings which are stored in their bodies. In many cases, trauma, depression and anxiety will result in physical symptoms. Movement provides an opportunity for people to process their feelings in a secure manner.

At the Sancheti Healthcare Academy, Expressive Movement Therapy integrates the Emotional, Mental and Physical aspects of the human experience. It also provides a form of holistic care for mental health through the provision of a structured exercise program.

Thus, the use of Movement therapy provides an opportunity for people to heal emotionally and develop greater self-awareness.

How Does Art Therapy Support Physical Rehabilitation?

Art therapy provides an opportunity for individuals to develop and improve their physical capacities during the rehabilitation process. Individuals are encouraged to engage in creative movements to develop a sense of connection with their physical bodies without fear or undue stress.

• Art-based movement therapy is useful for individuals recovering from:
• Injuries or surgeries.
• Incomplete development of the nervous system.
• The effects of long-term use of pain medications.

Art therapy in the healthcare environment provides the opportunity for patients to develop a more positive attitude towards their physical rehabilitation by helping them to perceive their rehabilitation as a more interactive and meaningful experience as opposed to a repetitive exercise.

Why This Integrated Approach Works Better Than Single Therapies

Unlike most traditional therapies, which tend to focus on one area of a person’s health, integrated approaches use movement therapy in conjunction with art therapy and other medical treatments. This type of approach treats each individual for their entire being rather than just aspects of their physical body.

An integrated approach:

• Provides emotional, physical, and cognitive healing for the patient
• Promotes patient participation in their own healing process
• Decreases patients’ anxiety about the clinical environment
• Increases patients’ likelihood of continuing therapy after treatment ends
• Supports holistic recovery that is sustainable over time

Therapies that include both artistic elements and scientific principles provide a more human-centred, adaptable, and meaningful way to heal through therapy than traditional therapies alone.

Sancheti Healthcare Academy’s Role in Expressive Movement Therapy

Sancheti Healthcare Academy provides specialized training in Expressive Movement Therapy. Expressive Movement Therapy combines the use of creative movement with clinical and psychological theories to develop an individual’s physical health, emotional integration, and psychological well-being through Holistic, Evidence-Based Practices. The increasing awareness that both Art Therapy and Movement Therapy are valuable members of our Therapeutic Team has led to increased use of these Therapies in the field of Mental Health and Rehabilitation.

Conclusion:

The Mind Body Connection greatly Appreciates and Values the Contributions of Art, Movement, and Medical Science to form a Therapy. This Therapy is Holistic in Nature; it focuses on the Person as a Whole and does not come from a Place of Treating just the Symptoms but rather Treating the Whole Person.

Through Movement Therapy the Client will Learn Body Awareness and the Release of Stored Emotions – when these two elements come together, they create what is called “Art” Therapy -which promotes Creative Thinking and Resilience. The Combination of the Powers of Art and Movement provide clients with an Opportunity to experience Rehabilitation in a Meaningful Way.

As this Field of Healthcare grows the Continued Integration of the Use of Creative Therapies will Play a Major Role in building Healthier, Happier and More Resilient Communities.