Living in and through the body: new principles and possibilities for the impact of somatic practices for pain relief

James, Maisie (2024) Living in and through the body: new principles and possibilities for the impact of somatic practices for pain relief. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

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Abstract

This thesis is an autoethnographic, practice research investigation, offering further knowledge to the field of somatic practice, pain, and discomfort. As this thesis is a practice research inquiry, I offer practice to the field that is further supported by my autoethnographic positions. Embodied research and the lived experience are therefore central, exploring how somatic practice can impact the sensations of pain and discomfort. Whilst practice is at the forefront of this investigation, theoretical frameworks from the emerging field of somatic practice and pain, practical offerings from other practitioners, therapists, and researchers, and already established somatic ideologies have informed the research process and have offered an integrated approach to supporting the understanding of how practice can impact pain and discomfort. Both the practical and theoretical elements of this research emphasise the importance of improvisatory movement and relationships with the self to engage with a sense of freedom and self-expression. By adopting different somatic principles within practice, together with a theoretical understanding of the applications of somatic practice to the body, this research explores movement and wellbeing from a practical perspective, whilst drawing upon key ideas from the emerging somatic field of research. The refined set of principles that this thesis contributes to the field are: The Breath, Movement Economy, The Skeleton, Rotation and Flow, Embodied Rhythm, Stretch, Extension and Elongation, Dynamic and Light Self-Touch, Noticing and Addressing Habits, and Rest and Active Stillness. Each somatic principle was explored practically throughout this investigation, resulting in in- depth, subjective approach to analysing data through the lived experience and the narratives of others involved in the research process. This research investigation contributes to the emerging field of somatic practice and chronic pain, which differs from the general field of dance and somatics.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Dates:
Date
Event
8 October 2024
Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords: Somatics, somatic practice, pain, lived experience, autoethnographic, embodiment, practice
Subjects: CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-06 - allied health > CAH02-06-06 - complementary and alternative medicine
CAH25 - design, and creative and performing arts > CAH25-02 - performing arts > CAH25-02-04 - dance
Divisions: Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection
Faculty of Arts, Design and Media > Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Depositing User: Jaycie Carter
Date Deposited: 22 Oct 2024 15:27
Last Modified: 22 Oct 2024 15:27
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15921

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