How Can Art Therapy Help Deal With Parkinson's - Dr. Shivam Mittal

1. 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'sexpertsfromaroundtheworldgatheredattheParkinson'sFoundation- designated Center of Excellence, where a presentation on art therapy was revealed. Led by art therapist and consultant, Kimberly Faulkner, the presentation depicted howarttherapycanalleviatediscomfortcausedbyParkinson's. Arttherapycanhelpimprovethephysical, psychological,andsocialfunctioning ofa Parkinson'sdiseasepatient.Thesymptomsthatarttherapycanimproveinclude– Tremor – Almost 70% of people with Parkinson's disease experiencetremor  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 toreduce tremorintimesofstressandfatigue. Impaired speech –Quite many people with Parkinson's experience impaired  speechsymptoms,whichagaincanbetreatedwitharttherapy.Arttherapycancreate

2. avenues of self-expression that are invaluable to those struggling with speech problems. Freezing – Some people who suffer from Parkinson's experiencetemporary  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 yourbodytooperatelesseronautopilot,whichdecreasesthepossibilitiesoffreezing. Depression – Majority of people suffering from Parkinson's diseasefeel  ashamedandisolatedfromothersbecauseoftheircondition,whichleadsthemtoget intodepression.This istheworstcaseofParkinson's.arttherapycreatesasenseof communityandemotionalsupportthatcanreducethefeelingsofisolation,andthus 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 cannotexactlydepictwhattheyhaveinmindintheirpainting,becauseofthetremors they experience. Thus, when they want to draw a butterfly, it could turn into a stingray;oranythingelsecouldbeturnedintoanabstractpiece.But,thejoythatthe 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 opportunitytotalkabouttheirconcerns,fears,anxieties,andallotherfeelings. Well,althoughanarttherapycouldbeagreatwaytorelaxthepatients,thatisn'tthe cure. The right treatment lies in the hands of a Parkinson’s disease specialist in BangalorelikeDr.ShivamMittal,whocanprescribetherightkindsofmedications, injections,exercises,andsurgeriestoalleviatethesymptomsofParkinson'sandkeep patients away from physical pain and discomfort. Therefore, a treatment with a Parkinson's disease specialist can ease physical discomfort, while art therapy can easementaldiscomfort. For moredetails, visit: http://www.parkinsonsdiseasespecialist.com/