| Shakespeare once said, "If music be the food of | | | | correctional facilities, schools and private practice. |
| love, play on". The power of music over the human | | | | Some people mistakenly believe that a patient needs |
| mind is enormous, and that's putting it lightly. Music | | | | to have some particular musical ability to benefit from |
| therapy is the use of music for therapeutic purposes | | | | therapy. There is no one particular style of music that |
| by a trained professional. The idea of using music as | | | | is more therapeutic than the rest. Any style of music |
| a healing influence dates back to the time of Plato | | | | can be equally effective. Any person can be a |
| and Aristotle. In the modern world, music for therapy | | | | patient. The patient's background, needs and history |
| came to the fore when musicians played for war | | | | help determine the type of music used. |
| veterans to cure them of physical and emotional | | | | Even healthy people can make use of the healing |
| trauma. Since many of the patients responded well, | | | | powers of music. Listening to or making music, |
| nurses and doctors began requesting the services of | | | | playing or drumming can greatly reduce stress and |
| musicians for therapy. | | | | improve productivity. Research shows that music is a |
| Soon, music therapy became recognized as an | | | | vital support for physical exercise. Music therapy is |
| effective and scientifically-backed mode of | | | | even said to assist labor and delivery. |
| treatment. The first music therapy degree program | | | | In hospitals, music therapy is used to alleviate pain |
| ever was established in 1944 in the State of Michigan, | | | | and is often used in conjunction with anesthesia or |
| U.S. | | | | pain medication. A question that is often raised is |
| A trained music therapist gauges the emotional | | | | why use music if anesthesia does the same thing? |
| well-being, physical health, social functioning and | | | | Music helps because it dissolves emotional barriers |
| cognitive skills through the patient's responses to | | | | and elevates the patient's mood. Music also |
| music. Once the assessment is complete, the | | | | counteracts depression, calms and even sedates |
| practitioner designs music session for individuals or | | | | patients. In a nutshell, music helps reduce muscle |
| groups. The therapeutic music is prepared based on | | | | tension and brings on a deep and satisfying relaxation. |
| client needs and uses music improvisation, song | | | | Since 1994 music therapy has been identified as a |
| writing, lyric discussion, imagery and musical | | | | reimbursable service in the U.S. Music therapy is |
| performances. | | | | considered ‘active treatment' when it meets the |
| Using music for therapy can be a very powerful way | | | | following criteria: |
| to reach children and adolescents. Elderly people and | | | | - Is prescribed by a physician |
| people with developmental and learning disabilities, | | | | - Is reasonably necessary for the treatment of the |
| people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and age | | | | injury or condition |
| related problems and people in acute pain also benefit | | | | - Is based on a documented treatment plan |
| from music therapy. Music therapy is a powerful way | | | | - Is showing some sort of result in the patient |
| to help people express their feelings. | | | | The future of music therapy is indeed very promising |
| Professional music therapists are usually found in | | | | as more and more research supports the |
| rehabilitative facilities, psychiatric hospitals, medical | | | | effectiveness of music against diseases like |
| hospitals, drug and alcohol programs, nursing homes, | | | | Alzheimer's and chronic pain. |