How Can Art Therapy Help Deal With Parkinson's?

With science and technology constantly changing, scientists and researchers are always looking for newer and better ways to treat ailments – better ways to treat older ones, and innovations to treat new unknown ailments. Just recently, top Parkinson's experts from around the world gathered at the Parkinson's Foundation-designated Center of Excellence, where a presentation on art therapy was revealed. Led by art therapist and consultant, Kimberly Faulkner, the presentation depicted how art therapy can alleviate discomfort caused by Parkinson's.

Art therapy can help improve the physical, psychological, and social functioning of a Parkinson's disease patient. The symptoms that art therapy can improve include –

• Tremor – Almost 70% of people with Parkinson's disease experience tremor at some or the other point in time. With the disease comes to stress, fatigue, and intense emotions, which can temporarily worsen the conditions of tremor. Most patients who undergo art therapy find it relaxing, as it is an effective way to reduce tremor in times of stress and fatigue.

• Impaired speech – Quite many people with Parkinson's experience impaired speech symptoms, which again can be treated with art therapy. Art therapy can create avenues of self-expression that are invaluable to those struggling with speech problems.

• Freezing – Some people who suffer from Parkinson's experience temporary involuntary ability to move; the condition is known as freezing. Art therapy introduces novel motions that are not part of everyday life. This is why it prepares your body to operate lesser on autopilot, which decreases the possibilities of freezing.

• Depression – Majority of people suffering from Parkinson's disease feel ashamed and isolated from others because of their condition, which leads them to get into depression. This is the worst case of Parkinson's. art therapy creates a sense of community and emotional support that can reduce the feelings of isolation, and thus depression.

After art therapy, patients feel relaxed and reconnected with their past, as their paintings reminded them of their past good moments, and helped them express themselves through colors and drawings. Obviously, a person with Parkinson's cannot exactly depict what they have in mind in their painting, because of the tremors they experience. Thus, when they want to draw a butterfly, it could turn into a stingray; or anything else could be turned into an abstract piece. But, the joy that the patients feel during the art therapy is unexplainable. Kimberly Faulkner said that when patients share their paintings and experiences with others, it gives them an opportunity to talk about their concerns, fears, anxieties, and all other feelings.

Well, although an art therapy could be a great way to relax the patients, that isn't the cure. The right treatment lies in the hands of a Parkinson’s disease specialist in Bangalore like Dr. Shivam Mittal, who can prescribe the right kinds of medications, injections, exercises, and surgeries to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's and keep patients away from physical pain and discomfort. Therefore, a treatment with a Parkinson's disease specialist can ease physical discomfort, while art therapy can ease mental discomfort.

For more details, visit: http://www.parkinsonsdiseasespecialist.com/