By Lisa Dowler
The idea: caring for children with pain
The idea for this film came from my experience of working with families at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, UK. Many of the children I work with experience pain. I noticed that those taking care of children in pain were often distressed and fatigued and had little time or energy for self-care.
In developing ideas for the video, I consulted with two mothers of children with complex conditions. They explained that they did not have time to do anything to help them manage their stress and wellbeing. So something simple and short, where they could take time for themselves, would be very useful. This video on self-care for parents and carers is the result.
I would like to thank both Paula Evans and Nicola Jones for their contribution.
Some guidance
This is a simple practice to explore self-massage for self-care.
This is not a cure but an opportunity to explore your own body. For some people, emotions come up as they explore touch and movement. For others, it is just a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Please watch through the video (below) first to decide if you want to take part. You could check with your healthcare professional if any activities are best avoided for you.
Staying safe and comfortable
To make sure you stay comfortable and safe during this practice we suggest that you:
- Find a comfortable place where you feel safe;
- Make sure there is room for you to safely move and stretch (you might want to clear some space around you to avoid spillages and knocking into furniture); and
- To help you stay warm and comfortable as you relax, you might it helpful to bring a blanket, some cushions or some extra clothing.
- Thank you and we hope you enjoy the practice!
Further information
Lisa Dowler is an independent dance artist, who conducts work at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
If you have any other concerns following the practice, please get in touch with your healthcare professional, or contact Lisa on the email if you are interested to discuss the practice further: lisa@smallthingsdance.co.uk
The practice pages on this website do not provide medical advice and the views and opinions expressed belong to and are the responsibility of the author(s) of the practices.
