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