Movement-Based Therapies in Rehabilitation

Author: Melissa E Phuphanich1, Jonathan Droessler2, Lisa Altman3, Blessen C Eapen4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard (117) Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA. Electronic address: mphuphanich@gmail.com. <sup>2</sup> Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard (117) Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA. <sup>3</sup> Healthcare Transformation, VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard (117) Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA; University of California Los Angeles- UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA. <sup>4</sup> Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard (117) Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA; University of California Los Angeles- UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Conference/Journal: Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am
Date published: 2020 Nov 1
Other: Volume ID: 31 , Issue ID: 4 , Pages: 577-591 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2020.07.002. , Word Count: 107


Movement therapy refers to a broad range of Eastern and Western mindful movement-based practices used to treat the mind, body, and spirit concurrently. Forms of movement practice are universal across human culture and exist in ancient history. Research demonstrates forms of movement therapy, such as dance, existed in the common ancestor shared by humans and chimpanzees, approximately 6 million years ago. Movement-based therapies innately promote health and wellness by encouraging proactive participation in one's own health, creating community support and accountability, and so building a foundation for successful, permanent, positive change.

Keywords: Feldenkrais method; Movement therapy; Pilates; Qigong; Rehabilitation; Tai chi; Yoga.

PMID: 32981580 PMCID: PMC7476461 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2020.07.002