Music Therapy and its health benefits
Music has much to contribute to our quality of life.
Music affects the brain as well as the bodyIt activates certain areas of the brain related to mood and state of mind.
What is Music Therapy?
The Music Therapy is a therapy that uses music to improve the patient's state of health and well-being. Stimulating the mind is essential since it is the operative center where all the sensations and emotions that human beings perceive and express are processed, understood and brought together.
Music is a sensory experience that can activate all brain areas simultaneously.. Therefore, it is useful in therapy because it triggers the functioning of the brain in the emotional, cognitive and physical sense. With new research on music therapy, it has been shown to be useful in rehabilitation, education and wellness programs.
This type of therapy is effective in treating certain disorders or improving the patient's quality of life, and acts in two ways: active (playing instruments, singing, interpreting music) and receptive. receptive (using music to induce states of relaxation). Other techniques and artistic forms are also used simultaneously with music, such as drama, dance or painting.
How does Music Therapy work?
The music therapist works on different aspects of the person, such as:
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Sensory aspectsSensory aspects: working on the ability to respond to sensory stimuli received.
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Motor aspectsCoordination, balance and mobility of the patient.
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Cognitive aspectsmemory, learning, imagination or attention.
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Socio-emotional aspectsIntelligence and control of emotions, as well as emotional expression and self-knowledge of one's own emotions.
Utilities of Music Therapy
Since music is an accessible and attractive stimulus, it has a great influence on patients and they receive the therapy in a pleasant way. Music therapy practitioners select and apply music in such a way that it brings psychological and physical benefits..
This type of therapy works perfectly to solve psychological problems, rehabilitate drug addicts, reduce pain in terminal illnesses, improve self-esteem, or treat learning difficulties.
7 reasons why to use Music Therapy
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Music is a basic function of our brain. Even at an early age, mothers often soothe their children with "lullabies" (lullabies). This shows that young children's brains already tolerate music and its benefits very well.
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Music entertains our body. Our body is naturally entertained by music, and it is easy to perform rhythmic movements. When we listen to music, it enters our brain to process it, but it also has an effect on our motor system. That is why music therapists use this tool to help people who have had a stroke to regain mobility.
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We have physiological reactions when we listen to music. Every time our breathing speeds up, our Heart rate increases and we feel the music running down our spine. Music therapy can help stimulate a person who is in a coma or it can help a conscious person relax.
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Babies and children respond to music.. Any parent will know that even at an early age it is natural for children and babies to respond to musical stimuli. From an early age they dance and enjoy musical sounds. On the other hand, children learn easily through art and music, making it a great educational tool.
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Music penetrates to the emotions. Since music stimulates the amygdala, it can make you feel sad, happy, energetic, motivated, and so on. The way music accesses emotions is very useful for music therapists.
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Music helps improve learning. Many early childhood teachers use methods such as learning the alphabet or colors through songs. Music is effective for memorizing and for evoking past memories.
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Music therapy is a non-invasive and motivating therapy.. We all love music, and this is one of the most important reasons why Music Therapy works.
(Updated at Apr 13 / 2024)