From jamming out to rock and roll to carefully creating intricate melodies, music surrounds each and every one of us in some way or another. Oftentimes, we listen or create music to experience some type of emotion or feeling. Maybe it's blasting a giddy pop tune to feel amped up or excited, or crafting a slow love ballad to get out one last cry after a breakup, music is used to help us express our emotions every day. More recently, psychologists and mental health professionals are turning towards Music Therapy as an aid to those experiencing physical and mental trauma. This "new" wave of therapy actually began in the early 1800s but was not popularized until the 1950s when the National Association for Music Therapy was founded. Now, with a job outlook of more than 12%, Music Therapy is booming with demand and one of the most popular means of therapy, and here's why:
1. Physiological benefits and improvements.
A popular and frequently used way to use Music Therapy is using softer, calming music to slow heart rates and decrease blood pressure. By listening to slower music, your body subconsciously slows its breathing down to match the BPM of the song you're listening to. According to the Peterson Family Foundation, Music Therapy also helps with dexterity in older patients by using stringed instruments and percussion to get their fingers/hands active. There have also been signs of relaxed muscle tension and improved respiration when pairing Music Therapy with other deep relaxation practices.
2. Coping with anxiety.
Music Therapy also helps those suffering from anxiety and anxiety-related disorders more commonly than we might see. A person may listen to music after a long day at work or school, another might use their instruments to de-stress and free their thoughts while playing. An article was done by Harvard Medical School that showed in a pool of controlled patients enduring colonoscopies, those listening to music before the procedure were calmer than those who did not and were in less need for sedatives and opioid medications for pain.
3. A way to express creativity.
For those with musical inclinations, studies, upbringings, etc, composing and physically playing music may be what attracts them the most. Oftentimes, Music Therapy provides patients with a personal, creative outlet to express themselves in ways they couldn't otherwise do. Patients may also use songwriting to express themselves emotionally if they are unable to speak said emotions and feelings out loud to therapists/mental health professionals. Producing and playing music can also be egotistically rewarding for the patient for receiving praise for their work and feeling a sense of pride for something they created.
4. Helping those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
One of the newest discoveries about the benefits of Music Therapy is what it can do for those suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. According to the Alzheimer's Association, music is being used more and more each day to enrich the lives of patients. It is a powerful tool they use to work with Alzheimer's and dementia patients and help connect after verbal communication is lost. A patient may remember a rhythm or tune even in the late stages of the disease and improve behavioral issues that come in tandem with those later stages. It is best to encourage movement like clapping and dancing while listening to or playing music to add sensory and enjoyment to the clients.
5. Improving cognitive skills and abilities.
When treating younger patients or people experiencing autism, Music Therapy has been shown to improve cognitive, social, and verbal abilities. Music Therapy is best used in groups for these types of mental delays, as it encourages communal behavior and interactions with others. A group may work together to create a piece of music or showcase to perform and improve their communicative developments and teamwork skills. Dancing may also help with sensory issues and become more sociable in front of multiple people. Physically playing with instruments or rhythm work may also help enhance fine motor skills that children and those with autism may lack. Music Therapy works best to improve self-awareness, social skills, and cognitive activity.
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