Music Therapy: Is it effective?

by Puja
musical notes
  • Introduction
  • Improving life with music therapy
  • The process of the session
  • Different kinds of music therapy
  • Music therapy inpatient or outpatient
  • Usefulness of music therapy
  • Critical findings of music therapies
  • Conclusion

Do you listen to songs while going to bed or simply as a pastime? Music helps in elevating the mood. It’s so relaxing to listen to songs to soothe the mind and soul. Moreover, Music therapy is quite an effective technique for fighting anxiety and depression. Thus, it’s a also a tool for promoting emotional and mental health. Further, it also helps in improving the quality of life of the people.

What is music therapy?

The music therapy session incorporates many different elements like making or listening to songs. There are music therapists who undergo training in various fields. It can work towards improving communication or simply help deal with pain and chronic diseases. To become a music therapist, the person has to take an exam to become certified by the board. After starting with a music therapist, first, learn the fundamental goals. Likewise, try applying the tunes of music to deal with diseases like insomnia, depression, etc.

Music Therapy

Some of the things that a therapist states in his/her list are:

  • Firstly, relieving of emotional stress
  • Secondly, strengthening all coping skills
  • Thirdly, improving the mood and quality of life, and many more things.

How music helps in improving life!!

Sometimes listening to songs helps you focus on your work. Firstly, it helps in tune with your emotions as you follow all the tasks. Besides, music is used for expressing feelings. Secondly, it also explores so many ways regarding how you feel about music. If you remain angry most of the time, the therapist will provide relaxing and soothing songs to you. The switch in the songs helps in calming the mind. Many reports show that music relates to blood pressure rates and heart rates. The therapists in the sessions provide short and simple exercises to all the people. You can record all your success on your phones. Moreover, it also helps in song generations and playing of music.

What is the process of the session?

The music therapy sessions last for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Try to set a music schedule for each week. Likewise, you can choose to work with the therapist on the needed basis. Music therapy is like one on one. If it’s possible, choose to participate in all the group sessions. Furthermore, when you have sessions with music therapists, you can practice anywhere you like. It starts to work even in clinics, offices or even community health centres. Stay in a quiet room that has no kinds of outside distractions.

What are different types of music therapy?

Few music therapies are coming with different benefits. All of them have research that has evidence to support it.

  1. Neurology music therapy

This kind of music therapy helps in relieving stress and provide relaxing moods. Some reports prove that just 30 minutes session is enough to reduce pain. The treatment is given to a caregiver after assessing all the individual needs. The therapy includes moving, singing or listening to music. This type is used for treating pain and brain injuries.

  1. Nordoff Robbins

The Nordoff Robbins is a two years master’s program. The therapy includes joining with other musicians and making new music. Additionally, therapists also use this in the treatment of children with developmental delays. Children suffer from mental health issues, dementia, autism, etc. The technique is so innovative that it helps in the treatment of children.

  1. Tuning fork therapy

It is also called calibrated metal tuning forks for giving vibrations in various parts of the body. It helps in releasing tension and stress. The therapy works very similar to acupuncture, which uses sound frequencies instead of needles. Some research has suggested that fork therapy helps in relieving music and joint pains.

  1. Guided meditation

This is also a kind of music healing meditation with voiced instruction in class or sessions. Some of the health benefits of this kind of therapy are:

  • Improving memory
  • Reducing pain and blood pressure
  • Lowering of cholesterol
  • Decreasing the rate of heart diseases, etc.

Is music therapy inpatient or outpatient?

It depends on the individual program that you are dealing with. Some people come to the sessions only during the day. They attend a counselling program that happens for a few hours. Whereas in other cases, the therapist can come to you while in school or hospitals. Most of the times, music therapies are adjusted in groups as well.

Who makes use of music therapy?

Music therapy is entirely personalised and is suitable for people belonging to any age group. Music therapy is beneficial to children also. All the children who have learning disabilities use music therapies. It helps in strengthening their motor skills to learn how to communicate effectively. People can use music therapy right from simple stress management to treating mental illnesses. In older beings, music therapy helps in promoting mental well-being.

Some of the critical findings of music therapy help in fighting diseases:

  • Insomnia
Insomnia

For many people, music is the therapy to fall asleep. Thus, Music therapy is helpful for people who have insomnia. There are techniques like music assisted relaxation therapy that benefit people with sleep disorders. The whole treatment can be used in a non-home setting also. Non-pharmacological medicines are the go-to treatment for insomniac patients at hospitals.

  • Pain management

Music therapy is excellent for reducing stress and anxiety in people. Listening to music helps in healing people from injury or surgery. It supports both kids and adults to cope with physical pain.

  • Cancer

Music therapy is one of the most excellent ways to provide pain relief in cancer. People going through cancer treatments undergo emotional pain all the way. Cancer patients are always in need of one treatment or the other. Thus, Music therapy helps in reducing anxiety in cancer patients, the moment they start with radiations. Moreover, it also helps them in coping with chemotherapy effects like nausea. Many cancer patients go through depression as well. Some are depressed during the treatment in fear of death. Thus, Music therapy comes in handy at that point to provide relaxation to the people.

  • Depression
Music Therapy treats Depression

As per research in 2017, music therapy helped in fighting depression. The music therapy combined with the cognitive behavioural theory helps in treating depression. There are various stages in depression. The therapy helps in treating from mild to moderate depression stages.

Difference between sound and music therapy

Music and sound therapy are different, and each has new goals, protocols and settings. Listening to music is a technique, but good therapy uses tools for achieving sound frequencies. Sounds of running water, bells, drums, etc., are natural to reach a specific frequency. Sound healing is a kind of alternative medicine, but music therapy is used in hospitals and private centres.

Conclusion

If you are interested in exploring music therapy, you can talk to the doctor or therapist. They will provide you with information regarding the working of music therapy. Moreover, they will help you connect with the practitioners in the community. Thus, all of you can come together to spread the importance of music therapy in your daily lives. The music sessions are covered under reimbursed plans. However, you’ll still need the authority of the doctor. Music therapy treats so many diseases, and it is pretty compelling.

Though it is not practical for all kinds of diseases, using this therapy helps make you feel stress-free. Thus, Music Therapy is worth a try.

Get more such Content