Healing arts
Lisa Todd discusses the power of creativity to induce transformative changes in the brain, promoting neuroplasticity and helping overcome isolation through connection
Summary
Following a life-changing dystonia diagnosis, Lisa Todd discovered that painting and pattern design helped rebuild her independence, lift her mood and break down isolation. By combining creativity with digital networking, she has been able to share her work and coordinate events that connect people. Research into neuroplasticity supports the idea that engagement with art, music and movement can calm the brain, reduce chronic pain and foster wellbeing.
After being diagnosed with dystonia following an accident 21 years ago, I didn’t know if I would ever return to work. Cervical dystonia is a neuromuscular condition which causes muscle spasms and chronic pain, making it very difficult to work comfortably with focus.
Prior to my accident, I had a fulfilling career as an interior designer working on residential and commercial interiors across the UK and as far away as Australia. The physical limitations of dystonia meant I lost my independence and had to give up my career. Dystonia continues to affect my ability to be mobile and independent of others, and has led to numerous challenges, not least the pain of exclusion and isolation.
Several years after my accident, I was encouraged by a friend to join a painting class at the local college; this helped to reignite my love of colour and pattern. Using my previous design experience, I began to explore how to use my paintings to create patterns printed on a range of homeware, from cushions to trays to ceramics.
The stimulation of this success helped enormously in lifting my mood – when painting I always play music and have a little dance with my paints! – and enabled me to break down the barriers of isolation. I am unable to sit at a computer to work, so Instagram and LinkedIn have significantly improved my ability to communicate and network. They help me to coordinate events and pop-ups, which a few years ago I would have thought of as impossible.
Neuroplasticity is the formal name for an area of research which is revealing the power of the arts in calming the brain, minimising the uncontrollable dystonic movements and the resulting chronic pain. The impact of art, music and dance on neuroplasticity is an area being researched globally, including at the world-leading Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, where researchers are making the effects of neuroplasticity visible via the development of innovative headsets which instantly display the brain’s response to viewing or making art.
My own ‘healing response’ from creating colourful, dynamic prints and patterns (inspired by my childhood in South Africa as well as my father’s Australian heritage) has been enormously powerful. I am currently working on plans for an immersive installation that would use my ‘Joy’ pattern and artwork collection to explore how the brain responds to art by displaying brain activity during viewing and creation of art while raising awareness of dystonia.
It’s clear to me that these improvements in my own mood are not a coincidence. Bringing people together in a creative environment is a sure way to not only promote healing and wellbeing to those suffering from chronic pain or dystonia, but to break down broader barriers of exclusion and isolation.
Engage with the artist
Learn more about Lisa’s work and opportunities for collaboration at LisaToddDesigns.com
Lisa Todd is an award-winning print and pattern designer. Her recent exhibition Ubuntu was hosted by the Sunbury Embroidery Gallery between June and August 2025.
Knowledge grows when shared.
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