Therapeutic implications of clay palm press ceramic art practice

Individuals with various health conditions or illnesses may require different therapeutic interventions to restore total or partial functioning. In low-and middle-income countries, mainly in the global South, these therapeutic options may not be widely available, or alternatively, may be unaffordable and unattainable for the majority of the population. This inequitable health situation necessitates cost-effective interventions that will be accessible and sustainable in developing societies. Hence, the consideration and use of clay, as an earthy malleable material is an economical and sustainable alternative as a therapeutic medium. The potential and boundaries of clay in the area of therapy are the focus of this paper. Clay palm press (CPP) is an unusual method of clay manipulation used in creating a medium for ceramic art exploration. It has been established to have benefits in remedying an individual’s medical condition, specifically in strengthening weak muscles of the fingers and palms. Secondly, it enables the individual to create art from clay. From the primary purpose of healing, artistic expression has been generated. Moreover, it has various benefits in low-resource settings, and is accessible in rural areas, which affirms its use as a sustainable and economically viable therapeutic option for developing countries.