Music Therapy Essay Example

Music Therapy Essay Example Music Therapy Essay Music Therapy Essay Music therapy is used to treat people for various reasons and there are multiple styles of treatment presently being used. Music therapy is an effective form of therapy that is used on people of all ages to improve quality of life. Music therapy has been used in the medical industry for more than 60 years and there are many people who have no idea what it is. During W. W. I. , music therapy in the United States began to develop when music was used in the Veterans Administration Hospitals as an intervention to address traumatic war injuries. There were several musicians who were not working and they would go to the Veteran hospitals to play for the injured soldiers. â€Å"Numerous doctors and nurses witnessed the effect music had on veterans psychological, physiological, cognitive, and emotional state† (University Hospitals Health Systems, 2005-2008, para. 2). Many years ago it would be so hard to find a music therapist, but now music therapists are available in many different locations and facilities. Some of the most common places to find a music therapist are in rehabilitation centers, mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, daycare treatments centers, medical hospitals, senior centers, drug and alcohol programs, correctional facilities, developmentally disabled persons, schools, and private practice (American Music Therapy Association, 1999). Music therapy has evolved significantly throughout the years, and there are multiple areas in the medical field that are working together to incorporate different techniques of music therapy. For instance, â€Å"Music therapists work collaboratively with physicians, social workers and other hospital staff to create interventions designed to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication and promote physical rehabilitation† (UCSF, 2003, para. 4). Today music is used for therapy in a variety of ways to treat and heal people who are suffering from a variety of different medical disorders. Additionally, music therapy is used for breathing and heart rate as well as improving ones state of mind. Research has shown that music has a profound effect on your body and psyche† (Scott, 2007, para. 1). Music is considered to be a form of sensory that provokes different responses due to the security that it provides to individuals. More than likely, everyone has his or her own type of musical therapy. For example, people who are depressed might listen to their favorite to brighten their mood. Another example would be someone playing their favorite compact disc when they are angry or upset to calm themselves (Sparks, 2007). There are some common misconceptions about music therapy such as, patients who have to have some kind of music ability in order to be responsive to the treatment, and they do not. In addition, another misconception is that one or more particular styles of music are more beneficial than others styles and that is not the case. There are varieties of therapy styles that are used today; the focus of the therapy styles is to engage the clients in a musical occurrence. Music therapists design the music sessions to suit individuals and groups for the client’s specific needs such as â€Å"using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music, and imagery, music performance, and learning through music† (American Music Therapy Association, Inc. , 1999, para. 2). Additionally there are some styles of music therapy where the patient or client will use an instrument to express unspoken emotions, or for the purpose of improving their motor skills. Music therapy is used on multiple people for treating a variety of different conditions. The therapy can be used on children, adolescents, adults, and elderly. Music therapy is also used for treating people with mental health requirements, developmentally disabled individuals, Alzheimer’s disease, and further age related conditions. Research shows that the power of music and rhythm can be very beneficial for the elderly and Alzheimer’s patients. There are many nursing homes using music to assist elderly and Alzheimer’s patients with memory conditions. In addition, music therapy is beneficial for people who suffer from substance abuse, brain injuries, and acute pain, to mothers who are in labor (American Music Therapy Association, Inc. , 1999). Music Therapy has had numerous clinical studies to suggest that not only musical therapy is an effective means of treatment, but the sound of music is soothing and comfortable, and it lowers cortisol, a stress hormone, as much as 25%. The music can reduce pain for patients who have come out of surgery, decreases nausea with patients who are receiving chemotherapy, and increases awareness of self and environment. A study conducted at Yale University School of medicine proved that patients who were awake during a surgical procedure listening to their favorite music need lower doses of pain medication than patients who did not listen to music (Syed, 2006). Developmentally disabled individuals and individuals with mental health needs are also receptive and benefit from music therapy. Music therapy for autistic individuals has helped to teach social interacting, encouraging the desire to communicate, and minimizing non-communicative speech. As far as autism is concerned, studies have shown that music therapy has a significant, positive influence when used to treat autistic individuals† (Evans, 2008, para. 3). Children diagnosed with autism are very receptive to music therapy. It was stated â€Å"Music Therapy is particularly useful with autistic children owing in part to the nonverbal, non threatening nature of the medium† (Staum, 2008, para. 3). Music therapy for mental health patie nts uses the therapeutic form of music as a means of communication and self-expression. The point of the therapy is to assist the individuals by helping to develop relationships and to face issues that they may not have been able to face using words only. One of the reasons that the music therapy is successful, is because it can incorporate active music making and music listening. While music therapy can treat people with different illnesses and disabilities, it can improve the quality of life for healthy people as well. Music can help individuals relate to other people, it can distract people from daily anxiety and provides an overall enjoyable experience. Every individual who practices some method of music therapy can improve, his or her own quality of life, whether it is someone who is healthy, ill, or disabled. Music is a positive influence used for physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being. For instance, someone who listens or performs music is benefiting from it. The presence of a music therapist is not necessary (Natural Standard, 2008). Music has always been said not only to be motivating, but also relaxing, and can be beneficial for everyone. Music or soothing sounds can be used as relaxation for any individual, and does not need to be monitored by music professionals. Many people are under the impression that music therapy is preformed using computer generated styles, but music therapy uses interactive instruments. The most common interactive instruments are the guitar, autoharp, piano, and keyboards because they can engage a client in musical activities. There are also handheld percussive instruments used such as the drums, maracas, tambourines, wood blocks, and chimes. The percussive instruments can potentially enhance the musical therapy experience by providing stimulation. In addition, picture cards and instrument pictures can aid patients in making a choice of what they would like to use, while puppets can help create a fun interactive experience (The Fine Arts Association, 2008). Like any form of therapy, every potential patient or client would undergo an assessment to participate in a music therapy program. During a typical assessment appointment, the music therapist would take the individual and expose them to a variety of instruments and different music. The music therapist will observe the individuals interactions with the music and instruments. The therapist is observing the individuals motor skills, behavior communication, and cognitive skills. After the assessment, the music therapist would then meet with the parents or caregivers to discuss goals of the music therapy. To conclude, music therapy has been around for several years and began when music was played for veterans who were injured in the W. W. I. and doctors and nurses noticed that the music affected the patients in a positive manner. Over 60 years later, music has come a long way with aiding people who are suffering from mental illness, pain, breathing, sleep disorders, and several other conditions. Doctors and other types of physicians collaborate with music therapists to assist their patients in a healing type of treatment with the assistance of music. Music therapy is not just listening to music anymore; it is engaging the patient in a making music, singing, and several other types of treatment. Most everyone has his or her own type of music therapy, although they might not know it. This type of therapy benefits children and adults and is proven to improve the quality of life whether a person is ill or healthy. Music therapy is a beneficial treatment that has been used in the past, present, and will continue to be used effectively. References: Evans, Rachel, (2008) The Benefits of Music Therapy for Autism. Ezine Articles Retrieved June 4, 2008, from http://ezinearticles. com/? The-Benefits-of-Music-Therapy-for-Autism=432566 Frequently Asked Questions About Music Therapy. (1999) American Music Therapy Association, Inc. Retrieved May 25, 2008 from musictherapy. org/faqs. html#WHAT_IS_THE_HISTORY History of Music Therapy. (2005-2008) University Hospitals Health Systems Retrieved May 23, 2008, from musicasmedicine. com/about/history. cfm Music Therapy Services. (2003-2008) The Fine Arts Association Retrieved June 9, 2008, from fineartsassociation. org/therapy. html Music Therapy. (1998) Think Quest Retrieved June 5, 2008 from http://library. thinkquest. org/24206/music-therapy. html Music Therapy. (2008) Natural Standard Retrieved June 4, 2008 from aturalstandard. com/index-abstract. asp? create- abstract=/monographs/alternativemodalities/patient-musictherapy. asp Scott, Elizabeth, M. S. (2007) Music and Your Body: How Music Affects Us and Why Music Therapy Promotes Health. About. com Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://stress. about. com/od/tensiontamers/a/music_therapy. htm Sparks, Alicia, (2007 The Mental Benefits of Music Therapy. Mental Health Notes Retrieved on June 2, 2008, from mentalheal thnotes. com/2007/07/09/the-mental-benefits-of-music-therapy/ Staum, J. Myra, (2008) Music Therapy and Language for the Autistic Child. Autism Research Institute Retrieved June 2, 2008, from autism. com/families/therapy/music. htm Syed, Ibrahim B. Ph. D. (2006) Music Therapy. Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc. Retrieved May 28, 2008, from irfi. org/articles/articles_1_50/music_therapy. htm The Profound Effects of Music on the Mind. (2003) University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Retrieved June 2, 2008 from ucsf. edu/synapse/articles/2008/Apr/17/musictherapy. html