Dance therapy

Dance therapy or Dance Movement Therapy is the psychotherapeutic process of using dance and movement to explore images, memories, and the personal meaning of life's incidents through symbolic physical action, all of this improve the mental and physical well being of a person. It founded on the relation between the mind and body, that the state of the body may involve mental and emotional wellbeing in diverse ways. In contrast to artistic dance, which is generally involved with the aesthetic form of movement, dance therapy investigates the nature of all movement to promote health and healing.

In the 1940s, the dance as therapy came into existence, especially through the pioneering labors of Marian Chace. In 1966, the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) was created to establish and preserve high standards in the field of dance therapy, by 73 charter members in 15 states. Currently, the Association has grown to nearly 1200 members in 46 states and 20 foreign countries. ADTA conserves a registry of dance/movement therapists who gather specific educational and clinical apply standards.

Founded on the supposition that body and mind are interconnected, dance/movement therapy is defined by the American Dance Therapy Association as "the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process which furthers the emotional, cognitive and physical integration of the individual." Dance/movement therapy results changes in feelings, cognition, physical functioning, and conduct.

There have been few scientific investigations conducted to evaluate the effects of dance therapy on health, prevention, and recuperation from illness. Dance therapy helps in improving body image; enhancing self-concept and self-esteem; reducing stress, anxiety, and depression; diminishing isolation, chronic pain, and body tension; and growing communication abilities and feelings of well being.
Physical activity is known to augment special neurotransmitter substances in the brain (endorphins) which generate a state of well being. And total body movement improves the functions of other body systems, such as circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, and muscular systems.

Dance therapists can help people develop a nonverbal communication that provides information about what is happening in their bodies. The therapist examines a person's movements to make an evaluation and then designs a program to help the exact condition. The frequency and level of complexity of the therapy is generally personalized to meet the requirements of the participants. Dance therapy is used in a diversity of settings with people who have social, emotional, cognitive, or physical concerns. It is regularly used as a part of the recuperation process for people with chronic illness. Some examples are individuals with eating disorders, adult survivors of violence, sexually and physically mistreated children, dysfunctional families, the homeless, autistic children, the fragile elderly, and substance abusers. Dance therapists work with both individuals and groups, including whole families.

Now, dance/ movement therapy is using in illness prevention, health promotion programs and with those who have chronic medical states. Many pioneering programs offer dance/movement therapy for people with cardiovascular illness, chronic pain, hypertension, or breast cancer.