Healing the Mind, Body and Soul through Music Therapy
Music has the power to heal, soothe, and inspire us to feel a range of emotions. From childhood lullabies to our favorite break-up anthems, music shapes our lives in ways we may not even be aware of.
But what if music could be used as a tool for healing and wellness? That’s where music therapy comes in.
According to the studies, “Music therapy is the 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.” In other words, music therapy is a practice that uses music and a certified professional to help individuals work through physical ailments or mental hardships.
Music Therapy has numerous Health Benefits
Studies have shown that music therapy has numerous health benefits, including reducing stress, improving mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, aiding in dementia care, cancer care, end-of-life care, and rehabilitation for stroke and neurological disorders. A systematic review even suggested that music therapy may help manage symptoms of dementia, including reduced depression and anxiety.
Music Therapy is not just about listening to music
Music therapy is not just about listening to music; it involves professional music therapists who employ various interventions and tools during sessions, including playing instruments, singing, and guiding patients as they listen to music, write music, or express themselves through music. Music therapists use evidence-based tools and techniques based on established research to help bring about healing.
One such tool is a music-based program called “MT-BC,” which stands for Music Therapist-Board Certified. MT-BC is a licensed and certified five-year program that focuses on using music therapy with clients who have special needs or illnesses. In the world, music therapy is a rapidly growing field, and the number of music therapy degree programs has increased significantly in recent years.
Music therapy is also being used in hospitals to help decrease the severity of symptoms associated with certain medical conditions, such as oncologic conditions, sickle cell disease, and hematologic diseases. The therapy may reduce pain, anxiety, and fatigue and increase patients’ enjoyment and gratitude. Playing one’s preferred music during music therapy may even further reduce pain.
Music therapy can improve cognition, such as attention and focus, in stroke patients and can help those with movement disorders. People with neurological conditions reported a better quality of life when engaging with music.
Music therapy may even be used for self-discovery. Board-certified music therapist experts say, “We can use music to go directly to deeper states of our consciousness and bring awareness to the present,” helping people bring emotions to the surface and explore how they’re responding to their inner and outer worlds. Small studies suggest that music may help guide emotional experiencing and processing, potentially improving mental health.
As music therapy gains accolades as a legitimate wellness practice, such as during World Wars I and II and now, post-trauma, musicians travel to hospitals to soothe military veterans with music to aid their trauma. Universities also began to establish music therapy programs in the 1940s.
As people are increasingly looking for non-invasive health solutions, the interest in music therapy has increased. People can explore music therapy’s potential benefits, work with certified music therapists, and use interventions and tools that have proven successful. When dealing with physical, psychological, or emotional hardships, music therapy can offer a healing journey, and its power should not be overlooked.
Credits: tunedin_musictherapy
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