Sat May 10 16:58:30 UTC 2025: ## Chennai Art Workshop Offers Therapeutic Relief for Multiple Sclerosis Patients
**Chennai, India (May 10, 2025)** – A recent art therapy workshop in Chennai provided a much-needed respite for individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Organized by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) Chennai chapter, the session, held on May 3rd, 2025, used neurographic art techniques to help participants express emotions and alleviate stress.
Fifty participants, including Sujatha Karthik, a Velachery resident and mother of two diagnosed with MS in 2020, attended the workshop. Karthik reported feeling relaxed and forgetting her physical ailments during the 45-minute session. Common MS symptoms, such as muscle weakness and fatigue, often hinder participation in creative activities. However, therapists emphasize the benefits of art therapy in boosting confidence and improving mental well-being for those with neurological disorders.
The workshop, facilitated by freelance graphic designer Sathya Ganapathi, employed neurographic art – a free-flowing drawing method – using brush pens chosen for ease of use. Pastel colours were selected for their soothing effect. Ganapathi highlighted the accessibility of this art form, emphasizing that it can be easily practiced at home without formal instruction.
Occupational therapist Sarah Daniel explained the broader application of art therapy in treating patients with depression and neurological disorders, citing activities like journaling, line art, and finger painting as beneficial. She stressed that art therapy shouldn’t be imposed but should be offered as a tool for self-expression.
Freelance artist Himani Bhatnagar shared her experience using Warli art—a simple, geometric style—with Parkinson’s patients, noting its effectiveness in elevating mood.
The MSSI Chennai chapter aims to empower individuals with MS through monthly meetups and ongoing access to occupational and art therapies. They encourage anyone affected by the disease to participate in these supportive initiatives. For more information, visit http://www.mssocietyindia.org.
First Piper 