Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) doesn’t just affect the body; it also impacts mental and emotional health. Especially for those living with chronic conditions, art can become a powerful tool for healing and coping. In the article by Claire Cunningham, the author shares her experience as an artist living with RA, showing how art helps her manage the emotional challenges that come with the disease.
Cunningham explains that art helped her see her body differently. She says, “Art allowed me to reimagine my body not as broken, but as a tool for resilience” (Hinojosa-Azaola, 2014). This quote is important because it shows how engaging in creative work can change how people with RA view themselves. Instead of seeing their bodies as something damaged or in need of fixing, art offers a way to accept and even embrace physical limitations. For RA patients, this shift in thinking is crucial, as the disease isn’t curable but can be managed. By viewing their bodies through a creative lens, patients can find empowerment rather than feeling trapped by their condition.
Another key idea from Cunningham’s work is the connection between art and pain. She says, “Through performance, I have learned to negotiate the limits of pain, moving within them and using them to fuel my creativity” (Hinojosa-Azaola, 2014). For many RA patients, chronic pain is a constant struggle. Cunningham suggests that by channeling this pain into art, people can transform a negative experience into something productive. This can help patients feel more in control, reducing feelings of frustration and helplessness.
For the medical community, this idea could be valuable in expanding how RA is treated. By incorporating art therapy into RA care, it could help patients manage not just the physical symptoms but also the emotional toll of living with chronic pain. Art might not just be a hobby; it could become a vital part of a more holistic approach to managing the disease.
References
Hinojosa-Azaola, A., & Alcocer-Varela, J. (2014, January 30). Art and rheumatology: The artist and the rheumatologist’s perspective. OUP Academic. https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/53/10/1725/1816020
Zografi, E. (2015). Art is Therapy [Photograph]. Six Willows. Digital. https://sixwillows.com/category/art-is-therapy/
