Here is a Guide to the Many Uses of Music Therapy
by Kimberly Sharpe
"Music therapy is being utilized by many trained health care professionals for use with children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly who suffer from a wide range of mental illnesses, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities,
Alzheimer's assistance, brain injuries, chronic pain sufferers, and even women in labor with a baby.
A wide range of professional institutions employ and use music therapies in treatment settings. Music therapists can be found at hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, outpatient clinics, services that aid the developmentally disabled persons, mental health centers, drug and alcohol centers, senior centers, nursing homes, many hospice programs, a few correctional facilities, schools, and in private practice.
For hundreds of years it has been believed that music can help sooth and aid in persons well being. The utilization of serious music therapy started after the two World Wars when musicians, orchestras, and bands would visit the local military hospitals and the troops on the front line to perform. The health and mental well being of these soldiers improved dramatically. At the veterans hospitals the improvement of the patients who had regular musical visits improved so dramatically that doctors implored the hospitals to hire regular musical therapists to aid in the treatment of the injured and sick solders. The first musical therapy degree program in the world was founded at Michigan State University in 1944 because of the demand by local hospitals for this wonderful health beneficial service.
Qualified musical therapists should have the following degree designations, RMT, CMT, ACMT. This means that these individuals are truly qualified to practice music therapy.
When using music therapy the person being treated does not need to have any musical skill. Each season of musical therapy is tailor made to fit the individuals likes and dislikes. Any and all music is acceptable in therapy sessions.
Music therapy helps elderly people stay social,improve their memory, and keep them vitalized. It alleviates depression, anxiety, and fear. It can bring on a deep relaxation and relieve stress. The therapy in a hospital setting can help a patient relax and forget about ongoing pain or discomfort. It can relieve any fear or anxiety that they might be suffering.
Musical therapy has been shown to be very beneficial with the learning disabled by helping them to communicate and interact better. It can help not only the disabled but those that suffer from mental health issues to explore their feelings and emotions. It even helps to build confidence, aid in problem solving, and develop deeper inner personal relationships.
In the severely mentally ill music has been shown to lower aggression levels and to help the person better cope with the world around them in a positive manner. It has been shown to help even severe mental disorders and have a positive impact over time.
Many midwifes and Ob/gyns are now utilizing music during both labor and delivery of babies. This seems to help the mother relax and forget about the pain. It also seems to sooth the infant as it comes into the world.
In 1994 music therapy has been recognized by Medicare as a full reimbursable service under benefits for Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP).
To learn more about the benefits of music therapy please visit the American Music Therapy Associations official website.
Sources:
http://voice.unimelb.edu.au/view.php?articleID=4534
http://www.alternateheals.com/music-therapy/music-therapy-research.htm
http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab004025.html
http://www.musictherapy.org/"
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