What Is Music Therapy Used For?
Music is an incredibly effective treatment of mental health conditions. It can lift spirits, reduce anxiety, and boost motivation to exercise or complete other tasks. Furthermore, patients suffering from physical ailments such as pain, illness or injury can find comfort in music and find a new perspective on life.
Music has an unique effect on the human body, unlike other forms of therapy. Music activates certain areas in the brain responsible for emotion processing, meaning listening to different styles can have a significant impact on your mood and overall well-being.
Additionally, research has demonstrated that how your brain processes and decodes music has an enduring effect on how you feel. As such, those suffering from depression may find that listening to depressing songs makes them feel worse, while playing upbeat tunes helps boost their spirits.
Working with a trained music therapist can be highly beneficial, as they are trained in identifying and addressing your specific issues. They use various techniques such as musical improvisation and guided imagery to enhance your wellbeing.
Therapists may play an upbeat song for their client, ask them to describe how they feel about the music, or even challenge them to create a piece of original music that expresses their emotions. These methods may be integrated into an ongoing treatment program or performed during one-off sessions.
Lyric analysis is an approach that utilizes music to help clients process traumatic experiences, emotions or memories. This type of therapy may be particularly helpful for teens and young adults who struggle with expressing themselves verbally.
Vibroacoustic therapy is an alternative form of music therapy that may be beneficial for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, and depression. This intervention utilizes low-frequency sound waves to create vibrations in the body which absorb sound energy and allow patients to relax while relieving symptoms such as stiffness or pain.
It’s essential to note that this kind of therapy isn’t recommended for individuals with hearing loss or wearing hearing aids or implants. If used incorrectly, the potential harm can be substantial; thus, consulting an audiologist before beginning is recommended.
Studies have suggested that music therapy can be a valuable asset for children with autism spectrum disorders, as it helps improve communication and reduce behavioral issues. It may even prove helpful in neonatal intensive care units by aiding infants in learning neurologically and developing motor skills.
Music therapy often incorporates movement or dancing as a distraction from pain. Additionally, this method has been proven effective at motivating those with Parkinson’s disease to improve their motor function and gain weight.
It can also be beneficial for those with heart conditions, diabetes, cancer and other chronic illnesses. Furthermore, it has the potential to assist premature infants, those suffering from dementia, asthma or brain injuries as well. Hospital settings may use it for pain management and respiratory issues as well.