Music therapy demystified


What is music therapy? It is a process whereby healthcare professionals use music to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals of all ages. It is believed that music therapy can help address the following conditions:

  • promote personal wellness
  • stress management
  • alleviate pain
  • enhance memory
  • promote physical rehabilitation

Music therapy also has the advantage of being able to appeal to many different sensory systems at the same time. Visual, kinesthetic, auditory, vestibular and tactile senses can be addressed in a single music activity It is especially useful today in the area of helping children with autism. Autism is a complex, neurological based development disorder. Music therapy programs are popping up in hospitals and treatment centers in many developed countries. They are no longer a mystery treatment tool. An article which I found enlightening titled The healing power of music explains how music is used to help patients suffering from autism, Alzheimer and depression. There are a number of reasons why music lends itself as therapeutic tools:

  • It can be motivating
  • Helps reinforce active listening skills
  • Can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation
  • Is easily adaptable regardless of age, ability or culture
  • Can release and nurture creativity
  • Offers a nonverbal/preverbal means of communication
  • Can be experienced individually or in a group

Effects of Music

Blue yellow Psychological research is beginning to shed some light on the effects of music and music lessons in people. For instance, a number of studies published in prestigious professional journals have pointed to the potential intellectual benefits in children receiving long-term music lessons.

Playing and listening to music appear to improve IQ verbal memory skills, creative skills, attentive skills, and perhaps subsequently promoting the overall learning abilities in children.

Child psychologists and teachers alike know that children can be successfully taught to learn and even master the use of relaxation techniques to manage stress and anxiety. Listening to suitable music that is tailored to your child’s mood can be therapeutic, as it promotes physical and mental relaxation. It is little wonder with so many benefits to reap; your child deserves to be in a therapeutic environment nurtured by music!

A little experiment

To prove a point please play this relaxation music, feel the music and clear your mind while listening. This music should help you de-stress, for a few minutes bring a sense of inner peace within you. This is also a form of music therapy. You can buy relaxation music in a number of places around Singapore.

 

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