The Power of Music Therapy
- Ani M
- Mar 27, 2022
- 3 min read
The power of music in healthcare...
What Is Music Therapy?
According to the American Music Therapy Association music therapy is defined as "clinical & evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship". Music therapy can be used to: promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication, and promote physical rehabilitation. Many disorders music therapy can help are cardiac conditions, depression, autism, substance abuse, and Alzheimer's disease. Music therapy can be used in various forms whether that be listening, singing, playing instruments, or composing music.
What Is a Music Therapist?
A music therapist will use music therapy in effectively restoring and maintaining the mental and physical health of any person that needs it.
The educational requirements for music therapists is a Bachelor's Degree (or higher) in music therapy. They also need board certificate credentials. The American Music Therapy Association and the Certified Board for Music Therapists collaborate on the State Recognition Operational Plan which means any person who wants to practice music therapy needs official state recognition. Each state has specific requirements as for the practice of music therapy. Each therapist should consult and follow their state's regulations.
The Science Behind Music Therapy
Music releases mood enhancing chemicals into our body which then music therapists can use to further the health of their patients. Let's take a look at two chemicals specifically: dopamine and endorphins.
Dopamine is known as the "feel good" chemical. This chemical is proven to be released while listening to music bringing patients a pleasurable feeling.
Endorphins are the hormones behind creating that sense of euphoria.
Endorphins are also known to be a pain reliever. Music releases endorphins into the blood stream as a way to create that happy state of mind. But endorphins can also stop pain receptors from transmitting messages to parts of the body, acting as a pain reliever.
There are more scientific responses that music has on the body:
Immunoglobulin A is a cell that attacks viruses and any other threats inside the body. Music is proved to increase the number of these cells found in the body. More of these cells in the body strengthens the immune system's ability to fight off various infections. So music can strengthen the immune system.
Cortisol is a stress hormone that is proven to reduce significantly when listening to music. This decrease helps ease anxiety or stress. There is even evidence proving that lower cortisol levels work better than anti-anxiety medications that are given to patients.
Music therapists are able to combine the science of music into their treatment plans to treat a variety of people. Even if people don't specifically go to music therapists, music is a way to better physical and emotional health. Therefore, it has the potential to become big factor in public health.
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I will be documenting my journey of understanding music’s role in public health. I want this blog to be a place for me to explain my findings and connections. I think it’s amazing that I have the opportunity to explore my passions and even more awesome that I can find a way to combine them.
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