Medical Art Therapy

Medical Art Therapy

Medical art therapy has evolved in hospitals working with people with various illnesses because it is apparent that negative emotions often co-occur with disease. So art therapy is now considered an alternative and complementary treatment even for such things as cancer and heart disease. The National Institute of Health, Office of Alternative Medicine, has declared art therapy a “mind-body intervention.”

Art expression has the uncanny ability to convey information about physiology and somatic problems in many patients. This information can then be used by patients and their practitioners to help with symptom management. Art helps by making visible thoughts, feelings and perceptions that may be contributing to the dis-ease.

The act of creativity makes people feel better. Creativity
is the best medicine for stress, anxiety, and terminal
illnesses.
- Simon Opher, MD
For more information on medical art therapy:
» American Art Therapy Association, www.arttherapy.org
» Beyond Ordinary Nursing, www.integrativeimagery.com
» Ganin, Barbara, (1998) Art and Healing: Using Expressive Art to Heal Your Body, Mind and Spirit, NY: Three Rivers Press.