What is the purpose of music therapy?
Sound healing therapy utilizes the power of music to boost the physical and emotional health of patients and wellbeing. The person receiving treatment participates in the treatment in the presence of a certified professional. Therapy with music may include:
- listening to music
- Singing with music
- dancing to the music
- Meditation
- playing an instrument
The idea of healing with sound is believed to have roots dating in the past to Greece in the time of music being employed to treat mental illnesses. In the past music has been used to improve morale of soldiers, aid people to perform better and faster as well as to deter evil spirits through singing.
Recent research has found that music can bring a range positive health effects, ranging from improving immune function and decreasing stress levels, to improving the general health of premature infants.
Music therapy or sound therapy
There are several kinds of sound therapy, each offering different benefits, however they are not all supported by studies.
1. Meditation guided by a guide
Guided meditation is a type of sound healing that lets you meditate with voice-guided instructions during a session of class through an app or video. It can be done by singing or repeating mantras or even prayers.
Studies have found that meditation can provide a variety of health benefits. These include:
- Stress reduction
- Depression and anxiety are lessened.
- enhanced memory
- lower blood pressure
- Reduced pain
- lower cholesterol
- reduced risk of stroke and heart disease.
2. Music therapy for neurologic disorders
Music therapy can help reduce anxiety and help to relax. It has been proven as more successful than medication to reduce anxiety prior surgery.
Music therapy is provided by a certified professional who analyzes the person's needs. Treatment includes creating songs, listening, or dancing to music. It is used to aid in physical rehabilitation as well as for pain management. It can also be used to treat brain injuries.
3. Bonny Method
Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) classical music and imagery that helps examine the personal development, consciousness and change.
4. Nordoff-Robbins
The method of sound healing is performed by highly skilled musicians who have completed the Nordoff Robbins 2-year master's degree program. They play music that is familiar to the patients and create new music or prepare for an event.
The approach used by Nordoff-Robbins is utilized to treat children suffering from developmental difficulties (as as parents too) and mental health problems, learning issues and autism spectrum disorder dementia, and many other disorders.
5. Tuning fork therapy
Tuning fork therapy employs tuned metal forks that are calibrated that apply specific frequencies to various areas within the body. It can ease tension and improve energy, and help to improve emotional harmony. It's believed to function similar to acupuncture, but using sounds to stimulate the points in place of needles. Some research suggests that the use of tuning forks could aid in relieving bone and muscle discomfort.
6. Brainwave stimulation
Also known as binaural beats this technique stimulates your brain to enter a certain state of mind by using sound waves to trigger your brain's neurons to be aligned with the rhythm of the beat. It is believed to induce increased focus, a state of mind of relaxation, sleep, and relaxation. While more research is required but there's evidence that brainwave entrainment through audible sounds can reduce anxiety, pain and signs of premenstrual syndrome as well as helps improve child behavior problems.
What are the benefits of music therapy?
Music therapy can be used to treat the symptoms of a variety of ailments that include:
- anxiety disorders
- Depression
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- Alzheimer's
- autism spectrum disorders as well as difficulties in learning
- mental and behavioral disorders
- Cancer
The supposed advantages of music therapy include:
- lowers stress
- lowers mood changes
- lowers blood pressure
- lowers cholesterol levels
- teaches pain management
- lowers the risk of developing stroke and coronary artery disease.
- Improves sleep
How does it work?
Music therapy employs various aspects of sound to boost the physical and emotional well-being of patients. The way it works is dependent on the technique employed. The majority of music therapy sessions are conducted one-on-one with a trained professional.
A session might include lying down and listening to music, sounds coming from instruments or speakers or applying vibrations with a specially-designed tool like the tuning fork. Based on the technique, it could be suggested that you take part by singing, dancing or playing an instrument or musical instrument or to stay still and still so that the sound can be heard.
The takeaway
While evidence is scarce for certain techniques but music therapy has proven to be effective in relaxation and stress reduction, and has been proven to provide numerous health benefits.
0 Comments