Dance and Arthritis

Paper Summary:

The paper explains that although dance does not directly cause arthritis, improper techniques in dance can cause injuries that result in arthritis. The paper relates, however, that dance can also serve as a means of physical therapy for arthritic sufferers by increasing their range of motion, muscle strength and overall physical and mental health. More specifically, the paper discusses the relationship of dance at a young age to the development of arthritis as well as dance's therapeutic effect on arthritic sufferers.

From the Paper:

"Many dancers experience aches and pains though out their dancing careers. Despite the cause of the pain, many find it commonplace, and therefore ignore it. Others choose pain-dulling drugs to overcome the pain. However, pain and "discomfort should not be considered a normal result of dancing. If an ache or pain recurs after a few hours of rest or a good night's sleep, it must be confronted and the source examined." (Horosco, Cures and Myths about Arthritis 108) The causes of these pains are too many to number, but one that many do not realize may be linked to arthritis."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Backman, Catherine L., Arthritis and pain. Psychosocial aspects in the management of arthritis pain, Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2006.
• Bruce, Bonnie, Fries, James F., Lubeck, Deborah P., Aerobic exercise and its impact on musculoskeletal pain in older adults: a 14 year prospective, longitudinal study, Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2005.
• Can Regular Exercise Cause Arthritis?, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Vol. 66 No. 5, 1995, p. 11.
• Exercise Can Help Ease Arthritis, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Vol. 71 No. 7, 2000, p. 10.
• Hawley, Donna, Cathey, Mary Ann, Fighting Fibrositis, the American Journal of Nursing, Vol. 85, No. 4, pp. 404-406.

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• Term Paper # 94416 : "Dance and Music in Islam"

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