“You make waves”. An article about body, movement and interaction through a phenomenological perspective

Abstract

Introduction: Observation is an important part of a physiotherapists clinical work, but what do we observe? And which spectacles do we use when meeting our patients? The purpose of this article is to emphasise and reflect upon movement and sensation in clinical practice, through a phenomenological perspective. Main part: Body and movement are essential for all interaction and experiences for everyone, regardless of functional ability. When a child has different bodily prerequisites than most, and with limited verbal expression, our bodily expression and attentiveness towards the other becomes even more important. By using our own body and being aware of the child’s bodily expression, we get the opportunity to capture a more subtle and latent form of communication. As physiotherapists, we should strive to work from a holistic perspective. By using the ICF model as a framework, clarified through Rosenbaum and Gorter’s F-words, we have a promising tool to get there. Conclusion: Children are competent human beings with the ability to experience themselves, their surroundings and interact through their bodies. The child’s participation, in his own life, in what is fun, in the family and in the society is important.

Keywords

• interaction
• body and movement
• the child’s perspective