Selfhood Practices began as a pilot project in 2021/22 to develop and test new practical methods for patients diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The project aimed to find new ways to improve patients’ physical and mental well-being, develop confidence with living with their condition, build a peer support network and improve their ongoing self-efficacy.

This service development project was developed through partnership work between Nottingham City Care Partnership’s (NCC) MOSAIC Pain Service and Nottingham-based internationally renowned dance organisation Dance4.

Fibromyalgia also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. As well as widespread pain, people with fibromyalgia may also have increased sensitivity to pain, extreme tiredness (fatigue), muscle stiffness, difficulty sleeping, problems with mental processes (known as “fibro-fog”), such as problems with memory and concentration headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating.

This pilot project used dance/choreographic methods and techniques to enable the participating patients to explore ways of dealing with their condition while providing highly artistic experiences in a supported environment at Dance4’s international Centre for Choreography.

The project tested new ways of working for the pain service, providing training and organisational development opportunities with artists that aims to provide new and interesting ways to support the existing clinical and non-medical programmes that are currently delivered.

Following on from the initial pilot phase, weekly Selfhood Practices dance sessions are being held for people living with long-term pain conditions.

To learn more about the original pilot project and what to expect from the sessions, take a look at the video below, which includes interviews with participants and the group leaders.