Do you remember when you were feeling very sad or stressed and you felt a wonderful sense of relief when you listened to your favorite song? Or when you were very happy and listened to an uplifting song, that happiness increased even more? Music really has an amazing power to heal our hearts and control our emotions. So, when this same music is used as a therapy to achieve specific goals under the guidance of a qualified professional, we simply call it Music Therapy .
This is not just sitting at home listening to music. Here, a specially trained person called a "Music Therapist" talks to you and understands your needs, your favorite music, your experiences, etc. Then he creates therapy sessions that are special for you. He also constantly monitors your progress.
Who can music therapy help?
In fact, music therapy is something that can benefit anyone, regardless of age. A small child, a young person, an adult, anyone can find relief from it. It affects many different aspects of our lives. For example:
- Mental wellness: Reduce stress and anxiety and relax your mind.
- Emotional well-being: Helps you understand and manage your emotions.
- Physical well-being: Helps reduce pain and relax the body.
- Social well-being: Helps build relationships with others.
- Cognitive abilities: Helps improve things like memory and attention.
What conditions is this used for?
Music therapy is usually a complementary therapy, or adjunctive therapy. This means that it is used in addition to other treatments or medications. Research has shown that this treatment can help with many conditions.
| Disease category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Diseases related to the nervous system | Dementia, Stroke, Parkinson's disease, Traumatic brain injuries |
| Mental health problems | Depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders |
| Development issues | Autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, other developmental disabilities |
| Other situations | For the relief of cancer patients, acute and chronic pain, and substance use disorders |
Do you have to have musical ability to participate in this?
Oh no! This is a question that many people ask. You don't need to be able to sing or play any instruments. Music therapy is not a place to measure your abilities, but a place to use music to provide you with relief.
What actually happens during a music therapy session?
Your therapist will first talk to you to identify your needs, strengths, and goals. Then, they will design a therapy session that is tailored to you. During this session, you can do a variety of things.
- Creating Music: You and your therapist will create new music and write lyrics together.
- Singing songs: Sing together a song you like or one that the therapist suggests.
- Playing a musical instrument: Playing a simple instrument like guitar, piano, or drums (it doesn't matter if you can't play, the therapist will help).
- Moving to music: It can be something as simple as moving your arms and legs to the beat of a song.
- Listening to music: The therapist plays some music. You listen to it and talk about how it makes you feel and what it reminds you of. This is a good way to release your feelings.
- Talking about song lyrics: Read the lyrics of a song and talk about their meaning and how they relate to your life.
There are two types of treatment methods.
Simply put, these treatments can be divided into two main types.
| Treatment method | Description |
|---|---|
| Active interventions | In this, you actively contribute to the creation of music. For example, singing a song or playing a musical instrument. |
| Receptive interventions | In this, you don't create music. Instead, you listen to music that the therapist plays or plays. Then they talk about it and try to understand your thoughts and feelings. |
What are the main benefits of this?
The benefits of music therapy may vary depending on your goals and situation. But in general, here are some of the benefits that research has proven:
- It brings peace of mind.
- It helps you identify and manage your emotions .
- Reduces anxiety and depression .
- Reduces stress levels.
- Improves communication skills and language abilities.
- Developing social skills .
- Improves self-confidence .
- It helps you develop good coping skills to face life's problems.
- The level of pain can be reduced.
- Improves motor functions of the body.
- Overall, the quality of life is increased.
Is there any risk in this?
Music therapy is a very safe, low-risk treatment. However, there is one thing to remember. Sometimes, listening to certain music can bring back old sad memories or trauma that you are trying to forget.
To reduce the chance of this happening, your therapist will first talk to you about your life experiences. Sharing that information with your therapist in a way that you feel comfortable with will help them create a safe and meaningful session for you.
When should you see your doctor?
If you have any questions about your music therapy, talk to your therapist about it. However, if you want to talk about other aspects of your treatment plan, such as the medications you are taking, their side effects , or new symptoms you are experiencing , be sure to see your doctor .
Take-Home Message
- Music therapy is not just listening to music. It is a targeted treatment method done with a qualified professional.
- You don't need to have any musical ability to participate in this. Anyone can benefit from this.
- This therapy can provide relief for a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, pain, autism, and dementia.
- This is a very safe treatment. However, sometimes old memories may be rekindled. Therefore, it is important to talk openly with the therapist.
- This is a complementary treatment that is usually given in conjunction with other medical treatments, so it is important to stay in regular contact with your primary care physician.
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