Of Sound Mind And Body - Does Music Therapy Work?

Music therapy is a special type of therapy that involves using music to assist in overcoming emotional, physical, social, and cognitive problems in people of all ages. Music therapy can be used to help manage stress, to promote overall wellness, to help in the expression of feelings, to reduce or eliminate pain, to improve memory, to promote rehabilitation from physical problems or disorders, and to better communication.

Music therapy is done through a music therapist. A music therapist first makes an assessment of the client's overall emotional and physical well-being. The music therapist also takes a look at the client's 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, however, also include group music therapy. Music therapy options include listening to music, writing songs, discussing lyrics, performing music, and learning through music.

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 Alzheimer's 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.

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.

Schools even use music therapy to help children be more successful. For special education students, music therapy is sometimes included in the student's Individualized Education Plan, or IEP. Music therapy is sometimes used to help these children improve their communication skills or to strengthen their physical coordination, which helps them be more successful in general education classes.

The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) has conducted a great deal of research into the effectiveness of music therapy. There research has consistently shown the positive effects of music therapy.

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.

Over time, it was determined that musicians assisting in hospitals needed specialized training. In 1944, Michigan State University began offering a music therapy degree program. It was the first of its kind in the world. The AMTA was later founded in 1988.

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.

Many people mistakenly believe that clients of music therapy need to have musical abilities in order to benefit from music therapy. This is not true. Also, some 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 client's preferences, as well as on the individual circumstances and the purpose of treatment. Also, the client's overall goals from the therapy help determine the type of music to be used in the music therapy.

People who are already emotionally and physically healthy can use music therapy to aid in stress reduction. Drumming and listening to music can help facilitate relaxation. In addition, music can be used to help stimulate physical exercise, as many people are capable of working out longer and harder when the workout routine is accompanied by music.

Music therapy is a proven form of treatment for helping people of all ages and genders.