A new cure is in the town, it is creative cure. Although it is here from ancient time, however it is coming back to cure especially in recent times. Here is example of Chennai based MV Krishnan, an air force retiree in his 60’s. He is suffering from Parkinson’s disease. His life has no purpose, until his daughter, a sculptor-artist, introduced him to painting. It has not only revived his sense of purpose, but also helped tame his involuntary movements. When his painting exhibition three year back drew gasps of admiration, then it is clear but alternate healing can do.

The life-affirming pleasures of creativity and art making, like finished works of art, can reinforce and enhance self-esteem and physical, mental and emotional well being. The use of thumb and forefinger in painting or drawing is believed to kindle brain related acupressure points, offering a mean of escape from mental or physical stress and pain through concentration and involvement. According to American Art therapy Association, art therapy includes all kind of art therapy or creative art therapy. It includes visual arts, dance, drama, music and poetry.

The guiding principle is that subconscious feelings and disturbed thoughts find a comfortable outlet in art. There is research going on to support all these facts. However there are lot of studies are published in renowned journals which supports the creative cure by using various ways of art. According to the art therapist, with an increase in the emotional distress faced by people these days, the popularity of art therapy is going up. Art therapy attempts to unlock our body’s capacity to communicate through the use of creative movements, therapy revealing hidden emotional and triggering self-expression.

Though the art emerged as a formal therapy only in the 1930s, the idea dates back to ancient shamanism, Sufi, mysticism and Greek tragedies. “Beautiful objects and brilliancy of colour,� wrote Florence Nightingale, “are actual means of recovery�. Art therapy is useful to all ages where the primary need is emotional care. This is very useful way for children for express themselves, as limited verbal capacities make it difficult for them to convey traumatic experiences. Their natural mode of communication is playing it out rather than taking it out. Art therapy provides use a good alternative for treating our emotional distress and make our life more purposeful.

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