Patients Stories Using Music Therapy
Music therapy’s benefits are well-documented and widely accepted. It can help people cope with trauma, chronic illness, life changes, as well as enhance physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing.
One of the key benefits of music therapy is that it encourages and facilitates self-expression. This allows clients to explore their emotions, find relief from inner turmoil, as well as reconnect with their creative side and sense of joy.
For instance, a therapist might ask their patient to pen lyrics for a song they are learning or compose music based on an important memory from their lives. This exercise can provide them with greater insight into themselves and their relationships with others while giving them an outlet for their emotions.
Some of the earliest records of therapeutic uses of music can be found in religious texts. King Saul, for example, was said to have been healed of his depression by David the talented musician in the Jewish Bible. Whether these early accounts are accurate or not, they provide insight into how music therapy may be employed to heal mental and emotional ailments.
Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that certain music therapy techniques can improve motor functions and sensory awareness in children with disabilities. Emile Jaques-Dalcroze’s Dalcroze Eurythmics musical technique, for instance, has been particularly beneficial to these youngsters.
These techniques aim to promote awareness of movement and rhythm, improving patients’ capacity to respond appropriately when faced with stimuli such as tapping-a-foot or larger body movements like walking or running. Furthermore, they have been known to reduce anxiety and stress, helping individuals establish healthier sleep patterns.
The therapist may use a variety of instruments with their patients, depending on the individual needs and goals for each session. The most popular are guitar, piano and drums; however, other instruments that could be utilized include hand bell sets (a set of hand-held bells that play notes), mini guitars and singing bowls.
Gracie, who was diagnosed with cancer as a teenager, has had to cope with her diagnosis in difficult times. But music therapy sessions have given her a sense of control and encouraged her to be positive about the future. Now Gracie is considering becoming a music therapist herself.
She has helped many children in her clinic and hopes to one day work with adults as well. Music plays an integral role in her practice and she’s seen amazing results for her clients.
Recent research by Children’s Cancer Research Fund has demonstrated that music therapy can make a positive impact on kids during and after treatment. It helps reduce anxiety, promote socialization, and enhance quality of life for those fighting cancer.
