Moving towards Healing - March 2006

In March 2006, creative movement and dance facilitator, Libby Seward presented the outcomes of a pilot action research project entitled ‘Back to Dance’ which, in collaboration with the Department of Physiotherapy and the Back Care Clinic, set out to explore the relationship between physiotherapy and creative movement/ dance.

By establishing a dialogue between these two practices, Libby made a case for creative movement and dance, which engages the whole self and embraces physicality as an expression of emotion and as something that can complement and enhance existing healthcare practices in the care of chronic back pain and related conditions. She also reflected on the challenges of integrating creative movement and dance into an acute healthcare setting.

‘Back to Dance’ was initiated and co-ordinated by the Waterford Healing Arts Trust and funded under the Arts Council’s Artist in the Community scheme.
The talk was the second in the Trust’s Spring series of monthly lunchtime talks in 2006 which aims to offer a window on the diverse practices that come under the umbrella of ‘Arts and Health’.