“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”--Victor Hugo
Even with all the varieties of music out there, and the myriad different tastes people claim, most of us, at some point in our lives have used music as therapy. Whether it’s unwinding to a classical composition or blowing off steam to the beat of a heavy metal song, music can alleviate stress and put us in touch with memories. This makes sense since research shows that music has a profound effect on the body and mind.
The fact that everyone—children, teenagers, and adults of varying backgrounds—can respond to music in ways that they don’t respond to traditional therapy gave birth to the growing field of Music Therapy. According to the American Music Therapy Association (www.musictherapy.org), Music Therapy is formally defined as a clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Music Therapy can include movement, musical improvisation, song writing, singing, discussing lyrics, dancing, or simply listening to music. For instance, Music Therapists can help clients who have a hard time talking about or writing out their feelings by composing songs; clients with physical disabilities may use Music Therapy to learn to play an instrument for the purpose of improving fine motor skills.
These elements are used to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of people of all ages living with issues including:
And just what are the effects of music on the mind and body that make this form of therapy so effective? Brainwaves can resonate with music that has a strong beat. Faster beats translate into sharper concentration and more alert thinking while slower tempos promote a calm, meditative state.
- Brain injury
- HIV/AIDS
- Autism and other developmental disabilities
- Emotional trauma
- Hearing impairments
- Mental health issues
- Terminal illness or pain
- Physical disabilities
- Speech and language impairments
- Substance abuse problems
- Abuse
- Visual impairments
And when brainwaves change, other areas of the body are affected. Music can alter breathing and heart rates, making them slower or faster and, consequently, helping to relieve issues like chronic stress, promote relaxation and improve overall health. Music has also proven to deliver other health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure (which affects the likelihood of stroke and other health issues), boosting immunity, and easing muscle tension.
The implications of Music Therapy for physical and mental rehabilitation place it within an important context in terms of the biological medical model for therapy. It has truly become a viable tool for helping people get (and stay) healthy. With so many benefits and such profound physical effects, it’s no surprise that the future of Music Therapy is quite a promising one.
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