Art Therapy, Dance Therapy, Music Therapy, and Imagery
What is art therapy?
Creating art, viewing it, and talking about it provides a way for people to cope with
emotional conflicts and increase self-awareness. It also lets them express unspoken
and often unconscious concerns about their illness. The art therapist uses pictures,
art supplies, and visual symbols, as well as an understanding of behavior, to help
patients address their own personal concerns and conflicts.
Art therapists work with patients one on one or in groups. The art therapist provides
the materials needed to make paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other types of artwork.
This type of therapy may help you express feelings about cancer through art. Your
art is then used to help you talk about your emotions and concerns. In another form
of art therapy, you may view pieces of art, often in photographs. You can then talk
with a therapist about what you see.
Can art therapy help people with cancer?
Art therapy is a body-mind therapy. Many experts have seen and documented major benefits
among people who have done art therapy. These include improved mood, fewer depression
symptoms, and better overall quality of life. Doing art therapy or making art on your
own can also serve as a form of distraction. Thinking about and creating art can help
to distract you from pain and anxiety.
Many art therapists believe this type of therapy works because creating art affects
brain wave patterns and the substances released by the brain. It helps people express
hidden emotions. It reduces stress, fear, and anxiety. It can also provide a sense
of freedom.
How does art therapy work?
Creating art with an art therapist helps you express painful thoughts or memories
possibly related to your cancer diagnosis. This may help you cope with the diagnosis.
In conventional mental health therapy, people talk with a counselor. Talking about
traumatic or painful experiences that may be hidden in the subconscious mind is an
important part of the healing process. In much the same way, making a drawing or painting
of an emotion or event can serve as a tool. It can help the art therapist guide you
through the process of dealing with similar concerns.
Are there any possible problems or complications linked to art therapy?
Art therapy is safe and may help people with cancer deal with their emotions. As part
of your cancer treatment plan, art therapy has the potential to be pleasant and productive.
It should not replace the care and treatment provided by your cancer care team. Talk
with your healthcare provider for more information.
What is dance therapy?
Dance therapy uses movement to improve mental and physical well-being. It's a recognized
form of complementary therapy used in hospitals and cancer centers.
Can dance therapy help people with cancer?
Several studies suggest that dance therapy helps people:
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Develop positive body image
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Improve self-concept and self-esteem
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Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
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Decrease isolation, chronic pain, and body tension
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Increase communication skills
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Encourage a sense of well-being
For some cancer patients, dance therapy also works as exercise. But it has not been
studied enough to know if there are any special health benefits to cancer patients,
or to confirm the effects on prevention of or recovery from illness.
How does dance therapy work?
The physical benefits of dance therapy as exercise are well documented. Physical activity
increases special neurotransmitter substances in the brain (endorphins). These create
a state of well-being. And total body movement such as dance helps with other body
functions. These include circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, and muscular systems.
Dance therapy can help you stay physically fit and enjoy the pleasure of creating
rhythmic motions with your body.
Are there any possible problems or complications linked to dance therapy?
There are no known negative side effects of dance therapy. But dance is a form of
exercise. Always talk with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program.
This is especially needed if you have a chronic condition. Your healthcare provider
can evaluate whether the physical movements of dance therapy might be harmful to you.
It should not replace the care and treatment provided by your cancer care team.
What is music therapy?
Music therapy uses music to promote healing and enhance quality of life. It's a complementary
therapy that is used along with other cancer treatments. It helps patients cope mentally
and physically with their diagnosis. Music therapy may involve listening to music,
making music, singing, and discussing music, along with guided imagery with music.
Can music therapy help people with cancer?
Studies have shown the positive value of music therapy on the body, mind, and spirit
of children and adults. Researchers have found that music therapy used along with
medicines that ease nausea and vomiting in patients getting high-dose chemo can help
ease physical symptoms. When used in combination with pain relievers, music has been
found to decrease the overall intensity of the patient's pain. This can sometimes
result in a reduced use of pain medicine.
Music can also help with the following:
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Ease stress, apprehension, and fear
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Improve mood
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Lower heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate
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Ease depression
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Ease sleeplessness
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Ease muscle tension and provide relaxation
Music therapists believe that:
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Rhythm is helpful. Our muscles, including the heart muscle, synchronize to the beat
of music. For example, some classical music approximates the rhythm of the resting
heart (70 beats per minute). This music can slow a heart that is beating too fast.
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Self-expression in music therapy can reveal subconscious thoughts and feelings. It
can be therapeutic in the same way psychotherapy has shown to be therapeutic.
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The creative process of making art whether it's through music, painting, sculpture,
or dance can be beneficial.
How does music therapy work?
Music therapy can be incorporated into many different environments. People listen
to music alone or in groups. This can be done with trained therapists or without.
It can be as simple as someone listening to a song. Specially selected music can be
broadcast into hospital rooms.
Music therapists design music therapy sessions for a wide variety of needs. Some of
the ways music is used as therapy include:
For example, in a music therapy session that is specially designed to promote self-expression,
the therapist might create a musical and emotional environment that encourages you
to respond by revealing personal experiences or feelings. The session might have speech
and drama as well as music. Or the therapist might use singing and discussions. By
playing music with lyrics, the therapist can encourage you to make up words that are
then formed into a positive, unique song.
Are there any possible problems or complications linked to music therapy?
Music therapy, as part of your cancer treatment plan, has the potential to be pleasant
and productive. It should not replace the care and treatment provided by your cancer
care team. Always talk with your healthcare provider for more information.
What is imagery?
Imagery is a form of distraction. It involves mental exercises designed to stimulate
the mind to influence the health and well-being of the body. It uses visualization
methods to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It may also help manage pain,
lower blood pressure, and ease some of the side effects of chemotherapy.
Can imagery help people with cancer?
There is no scientific evidence showing that imagery affects cancer cells. Rather,
it's a relaxation method, like meditation, that has other physical and psychological
effects on the body. In some cases, imagery has been found to:
How does imagery work?
There are many different imagery methods. One popular method is called palming. This
involves placing the palms of your hands over your eyes and first imagining a color
you link with anxiety or stress (such as red). You then imagine a color you link with
relaxation or calmness (such as blue). Visualizing a calming color may make you feel
relaxed. That in turn may improve your health and sense of well-being.
Another common imagery method is known as guided imagery. Guided imagery involves
visualizing a specific place where you feel safe, calm, and happy. It may be used
to relax and reduce stress and anxiety. Or it may be used for a specific goal, like
reducing nausea or slowing your heart rate.
Are there any possible problems or complications linked to imagery?
Imagery methods, as part of your cancer treatment plan, have the potential to be pleasant
and productive. But they should not replace the care and treatment provided by your
cancer care team. Always talk with your healthcare provider for more information.
People seeking relief from symptoms of cancer and its treatment often consider alternative
therapies. Don’t be afraid to discuss complementary and alternative treatments with
your healthcare providers. They have heard such requests before. Let your healthcare
providers know if you are interested in an alternative mode of therapy. When you meet
with them, bring a list of questions so you don’t forget what you want to ask. For
support, consider bringing a family member or friend to the appointment.