Article by Stephen White
Music therapy assists in overcoming issues that are emotional, physical, social, and cognitive. This amazing type of theraoy also manages stress, promotes overall wellness, helps in the expression of feelings, to reduces or eliminate pain, to improves memory, promotes rehabilitation from physical problems or disorders, and to betters communication.
1. Who Can Do Music Therapy?
Music therapy is done through a music therapist. A music therapist first makes an assessment of the clients overall emotional and physical well-being. The music therapist also takes a look at the clients level of social functioning, cognitive skills, and communication abilities. After making these assessments, the musical therapist designs individual music sessions for the client. Sessions can, Of course, also include group music therapy. Music therapy options include listening to music, writing songs, discussing lyrics, performing music, and learning through music.
2. The Supporting Research
In integrated approach to music therapy has been shown to help children and adults of all ages. Music therapy helps those with developmental disabilities and learning disabilities overcome their learning obstacles. It also helps individuals with Alzheimers disease and other age-related conditions regain their memory. In addition, those who have coped with drug abuse or who have suffered from brain injuries can benefit from music therapy. People dealing with chronic or acute pain, including mothers giving birth, can also use music therapy to alleviate pain.
3. Hospitals Use Music Therapy
Music therapy is also sometimes used by hospitals to improve the mood of their patients or to counteract depression. They also use music to help encourage patients to move during physical therapy, or to calm patients that need to be sedated or who need to rest. Music therapy is also used in hospitals to decrease muscle tension and to help patients relax.
4. Schools Use Music Therapy
Schools even use music therapy to help children be more successful. For special education students, music therapy is sometimes included in the students Individualized Education Plan, or IEP. Music therapy is sometimes used to help these children improve their communication skills or to strengthen their physical coordination, that helps them be more successful in general education classes.
5. Music Soothes The Savage Beast
In fact, the concept of music therapy has its roots in ancient times, but really gained attention after World War I and World War II. At these times, community musicians visited Veterans hospitals and played for veterans who were suffering from physical and emotional trauma brought on by the wars. The patients at these hospitals showed notable improvement from the music. As a result, the doctors and nurses requested that musicians be hired to come to the hospitals.
6. The Benefits Of Music Therapy
The positive effects of music therapy have been so well recognized that many insurance companies cover it as a form of medical treatment. Medicare and Medicaid cover it, as well, so long as it is prescribed by a physician and the patient shows improvement from the music therapy.
7. No Musical Inclination Required
You don’t need to be musically talented to benefit from this therapy! Some people believe that only one type of music can be beneficial for use in music therapy. This is also untrue. In fact, all types of music can be helpful in helping a client. The type of music used depends on the clients preferences, as well as on the individual circumstances and the purpose of treatment. Also, the clients overall goals from the therapy help determine the type of music to be used in the music therapy.
8. Reduce Stress
The reduction of stress in emotionally healthy people can also be a benefit! Drumming and listening to music can help facilitate relaxation. Music can also stimulate physical excercise when doing a routine.
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