Listening to music is a different experience for each individual listener. “To some it [music] is mainly an instinctive, exciting sound to which they dance or move their bodies. Other people listen for its message, or take an intellectual approach to its form and construction, appreciating its formal patterns or originality” (Wade-Matthews and Thompson 10). Depending on the situation in which music is used, listeners will react to it in a variety of ways. A song that is played at a party will cause people to start dancing. Yet a song that is played during an emotional state will lead people to analyze its deep and meaningful message. With such diverse reactions in mind, it’s no wonder that music is one of society’s favorite forms of entertainment.
Modern medicine is the combination of modern technologies and ancient practices. Along with technological advance in medical equipment and treatment, using music to connect to patients is still a reliable practice. Throughout the history of healing practices, music has been used as a remedy. Music is so groundbreaking in the fact that it actually has the ability to affect human beings in so many ways. Music is a huge advantage in a treatment plan as it is calming, strengthening and it can be used for both the physically and mentally ill.
In the world there are many illnesses and conditions that need therapy. When people think of therapy they may think of the typical methods: speech, physical, vocational, and behavioral therapy. Most people do not think of music therapy. Music has a high impact on the body and brain. There have been traces of music therapy dating back to the Greek philosophers proving that it has been around longer than many other forms of therapy (Graf). Growing steadily, music therapy is recognized in the 1700s and is more prominent today than it has ever been. As the therapy becomes more well-known, the quality of the therapy gets better because of the high standards, requirements and codes. Music therapy is little-known but it is highly-effective and acceptable. It has been around for a long amount of time and the qualifications of a music therapist are very high due to the standards set. Music has a great influence on the body and brain.
Music and sounds have the power to effect one’s thoughts and emotions. Certain tones, pitches, lyrics, and melodies can invoke happiness, sadness, relief, and confidence. To achieve these emotions with music, many people find it helpful to enroll into music therapy. According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals. These goals may be to manage stress, promote wellness, alleviate pain, enhance memory, or express feelings. Music therapy is widely used in hospital and other inpatient settings, furthermore in outpatient settings and personal use. It is studied in patients and family with cardiac issues, cancer, psychiatric cases, and as general palliative care, as well as other fields. It has been found that women preparing for labor received the greatest benefit of music therapy, followed by medical procedures and occupational stress. (Elliot, 2011)
Music therapy is “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional” (AMTA). It is used for all age groups to help with problems with the physical emotional, cognitive, and social needs a person may have. It is particularly helpful for those who struggle to express themselves using words. Oliver Sacks once said, “Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears - it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neurological patients, music is even more - it can provide access, even when no medication can, to movement, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a necessity"
Introduction:
The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as “…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” (ATMA, 2008). Though the writings of Aristotle and Plato are some of the earliest examples that describe how music can make a positive impact on both the behavior and health of an individual, music therapy is a relatively new concept (Degmečić & Požgain et al., 2005). In the Post-World War II era, experienced musicians began performing regularly in hospitals for war veterans that had suffered from physical or emotional trauma. These performances elicited perceptible, but surprising, positive physical and emotional responses.
What is music? Where did it come from? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, music is defined as the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity (Music). There are many types of genres of music. Examples include classical, rock, rap, techno, metal, acoustic, pop and many others. Music is one of the most popular cultural aspects that we have adopted from ancient societies throughout history. Some forms of music date back to ancient civilizations of Egypt, China, India, Greece and Rome. Music can be used during every day activities such as working out, relaxation, for entertainment and also therapeutic uses. Many types of music therapy have been seen all over the world and also in different time periods. Music Therapy was used in the 20th century for World War One and World War Two veterans. Local musicians were hired to play in the local hospitals where veterans that were suffering both physically, emotionally and mentally were making progress towards recovery. Music therapy is still very common today. It gives an opportunity for a musical therapist to work with people of all different ages and varying disabilities. In order to become a musical therapist, a person must have some special qualities. Some of these include basic understanding of music, the willingness to help people, patience, creativity, empathetic and supportive. According to the Cancer Association society “ Music therapy may be used to encourage emotional expression, promote social interaction, relieve symptoms, and for other purposes.”
Barker, F., & Roth, E. A. (2004). Neuroplasticity and Functional Recovery: Training Models and Compensatory Strategies in Music Therapy. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 21-25.
The Effects of Music Therapy on Mentally Handicapped People
Music therapy is a controversial but effective form of rehabilitation on mentally handicapped people. A great amount of research has been completed on this subject. It has been proven that our brains respond to music as if it were medicine. Music therapy is not a commonly used health care, but recent studies have suggested it can have a wide range of benefits.
Music therapy is the prescribed use of music and related strategies, by a qualified therapist, to assist or motivate a person towards specific, non-musical goals.
Music is used in a variety of different ways. Some are very simple and logical, many others are creative and complex. Music is used to give emphasis to movies and advertisements, commercials and TV shows. Music is also used to express feelings and to communicate ideas and thoughts, without the barrier of language. People who cannot understand a language, can respond to music by singing, dancing, beating on a drum, in whatever way; people respond to music, and they like it (Weiss). A song may mean totally different things to different people with their own preferences and cultures. Show a popular piece of music to two different people and without a doubt, their interpretations and views of the song will almost never be exactly the same (if you need more sources this would be an EASY one to find a quote/reference to). The same song in the U.S. may be interpreted the same way in Germany, or Japan, or it may be interpreted in a different way. This is the great thing about music it is all relative to one’s personal views and preferences. Meaning that music is the universal language to speak with and through, allowing for the ultimate tool to both express feelings and to interpret other’s feelings. One more use of music, and possibly one of the most underutilized ways is to heal. Musical healing has been used for millennia with positive results. (Again…it would be super easy to pop a date in here and reference a source). Utilized by the very first shamans who practiced the change in consciousness to make contact with the spiritual realm. Music therapy has healed wounds both physical and mental and has been proven effective against many forms of diseases (Reiser). In Ancient Egypt, physicians sang scripture in curative tones. Witch Doct...