Cinesitherapy (/ˌsaɪniːsɛrəθi/) is a form of therapy that incorporates movement and activity into treatment. The word is composed of two parts: "cine," meaning motion or movement, and "therapy," meaning treatment. The "s" in "cine" is pronounced like the "s" in "see," and the "th" in "therapy" is pronounced like the "th" in "think." While the spelling of cinesitherapy may seem complex, understanding its phonetic transcription can help with pronunciation. Cinesitherapy is commonly used to improve physical functioning, emotional well-being, and cognitive abilities.
Cinesitherapy is a therapeutic approach that combines the use of cinema or film as a means of therapy. It is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes specific films, movie scenes, or cinematographic techniques to target psychological or emotional issues. This therapeutic technique recognizes the powerful impact that movies can have on individuals, as they can provoke various emotions and provide a platform for self-reflection.
In cinesitherapy, a trained therapist carefully selects films or movie scenes that are relevant to the client's specific therapeutic goals and psychological issues. These films are then utilized during therapy sessions to facilitate discussion, self-expression, and personal insight. By watching and analyzing these selected movies, individuals are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, emotions, and thoughts, allowing for a deeper understanding of their own struggles and inner conflicts.
The aim of cinesitherapy is to help individuals explore their emotions, develop self-awareness, and gain new perspectives on their personal challenges through the lens of cinema. This alternative therapeutic approach can be particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle with verbalizing their emotions or find it difficult to express themselves in traditional therapy settings.
Cinesitherapy can be used to address a wide range of psychological issues such as mood disorders, trauma, grief, relationship conflicts, and personal growth. It can be conducted individually or in a group setting. The effectiveness of cinesitherapy lies in its ability to tap into the power of storytelling and visual media to engage and connect with individuals on an emotional level, fostering personal growth, and promoting psychological well-being.
The therapeutic employment of movements, both active and passive; cinesiatrics, movement-cure.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "cinesitherapy" combines two root words: "cine-" and "-therapy", both of which have separate etymologies.
1. "Cine-" is derived from the Greek word "kinēsis", meaning "motion" or "movement". This root is commonly used in words related to cinema or film, referring to the motion or movement of images on a screen.
2. "-Therapy" comes from the Greek word "therapēia", meaning "healing" or "treatment". It is commonly used as a suffix in medical or therapeutic contexts to indicate a healing process.
Thus, "cinesitherapy" can be understood to mean "the therapeutic application of motion" or "the use of motion for healing/treatment".