Movement and Dance Therapy

One of the most standard pieces of advice for chronic pain patients is to be physically active. But the physical pain itself combined with a fear of movement (kinesiophobia) due to pain, make movement difficult. People with arthritis, fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions may feel that certain types of movement are off limits to them, but you may be capable of more than you think.

Movement is an important part of pain relief for a number of reasons. It helps to keep muscles toned and joints lubricated. It encourages the release of endorphins, the body’s pain killers. Another benefit of movement that should not be discounted is that it reduces the feeling of limitation that often comes with chronic pain. Once people feel their sphere of possibilities closing in around them, depression becomes common. Motivation decreases when you become depressed, and you can end up resigned to a life of bed rest. With this resignation, physical pain actually becomes worse. Not only does your body suffer the consequences of atrophy, but the depressed mind tends to experience pain more intensely. Physical and emotional pain signals are processed by the same brain areas and neurotransmitters; this could be one reason for the connection between pain and depression.

Dance therapy or dance movement therapy can enhance the body’s circulatory and respiratory functions. It is an expression of movement which is quite unique to an individual, so connect with your inner self to facilitate a change on an emotional, physical  and a psychological level.

It really is unimportant what that movement may consist of, whether you enjoy yoga type exercise, walking, stretching or any kind of dance alone or with a parter or a  hair brush…… 

Just keep on moving freely in order to  help your body and you feel good.