Music Therapy in Modern Society - Article Example

Music Therapy in Modern Society In the modern era, the technology has progressed and the world is advancing towards new methods and procedures of doing things. The manufacturing and service sectors have adopted new procedures. New treatments for the diseases have been introduced in the healthcare sector and the people in the society have been equipped with more sophisticated standards of living. This paper shall discuss one such sophistication of the modern day advancements, known as the Music Therapy. Music Therapy It is the innate quality of a human being to respond to and appreciate the use of music. It has now become a well known fact that the human’s abilities normally stay unimpaired by handicap, injury or illness (Encephalitis Resource Centre, 2002). The concept of Music Therapy is recognized as an allied health profession has become one of the most expressive therapies for the impairments and treatments in the modern days. The Music therapy refers to and comprises of an interpersonal process which requires a music therapist who is expert and trained in utilizing the music in all its mental, physical, emotional, aesthetic, social, and spiritual facets. The therapy assists the customer or the service users to maintain and improve their health (AMTA, 2011). The Music therapy is regarded as both a science and an art, with a quantitative and qualitative literature of research based on integrating such fields as biomusicology, music theory, clinical therapy, psychoacoustics, embodied music cognition, musical acoustics, comparative musicology and aesthetics of music. Other professionals in the healthcare services, such as psychologists, physicians, occupational therapists and physical therapists, refer to the services of music therapy. Sometimes, the users of the service themselves also opt for the services of music therapy without a recommendation. Music Therapist The music therapists mainly facilitate consumers develop a good health in different spheres which include emotional and affective development, motor skills, behavior and social skills, cognitive functioning, and quality of life. This is done through the use of music experiences such singing, free improvisation, listening to and discussing music, songwriting, and moving to music to accomplish treatment objectives and goals. The Music Therapists render their services in various settings which include day centers, hospitals, the community, special schools, local education authorities the prison service, or the Department of Social Services. However, there are some trusts, charity organizations and other such institutions which fund the use of therapies. Yet, in every work setting, the function of a music therapist is to perform as a faction of the multi-disciplinary team, and the observations made by them serve the purpose of understanding the needs and problems of their client. Music therapists are the people who generally perform the function of serving people suffering from the functional wellness issues and mental health in various settings such as private psychiatric hospitals, public and private schools, community-based programs, private practice, correctional and forensic facilities, mental health centers, and substance abuse treatment programs. They utilize the defined and standardized music interventions which the ongoing research supports and establishes in sound theory. These people use musical instruments in order to boost the interpersonal or enhance social, cognitive, affective, and behavioral performance of the client. According to the research studies conducted to assess the effects and outcomes of the music therapy, it has been indicated that clinical intervention of music is helpful at reducing or eradicating the anxiety and muscle tension, and aims at creating verbalization, promoting relaxation, group cohesiveness and interpersonal relationships. History of Music Therapy Music has been used as a healing force for centuries (Misic, Arandjelovic, Stanojkovic, Vladejic, Mladenovic, 2006). The therapy performed with the help of Music dates back to the biblical times, when King Saul was made to get rid of the bad spirit with the help of David playing the harp. It was in 400 B.C., that the Greek father of medicine, Hippocrates, used to play the musical instruments for his patients who were mentally ill. Music, according to Aristotle, was a force to purify the emotions and soul of human beings. Later, in thirteenth century, the music rooms were made in Arab hospitals which benefited the patients largely. Besides other countries, the United States also adopted the use of music and employed dances and chants as ways of curing and treating the patients. Then, the concept of music therapy was further introduced after the World Wars I and II. The musicians would be sent to hospitals to play music and heal the soldiers who had suffered from the physical and emotional war-related trauma. Uses of Music Therapy The music therapists serve adults and children with a broad range of needs which include psychological disorders, learning disabilities, physical and emotional sensory impairments, language disorder and delay and many more impairments (Janalea Hoffman, 2006). The music therapy is used in various clinical and educational settings. It controls the triggers of arousal amongst extremely traumatized individuals, and minimizes anxiety and depression. The soothing lyrics of music are used to activate neocortex and cognitive processing. A lower and mild range musical instrument is often appreciated and used over higher pitched instrument. It fosters more regular breathing and entrainment. Moreover, the clinicians prefer the repetitive melody over highly changing and varied melody, as they also facilitate the client with entrainment and familiarity of the current and grounding awareness (AMTA, 2010). There are various other objectives that can be achieved through the utilizing the services of clinical music therapy. The music therapy, besides other physical services, goes beyond the multiple modalities and fulfills many other needs. They include the non-physical needs such as boosting the motivational levels of children and enhancing the kinesthetic and physical abilities of children as well as adults. In short, the physical therapy stresses upon improving and enhancing the physical abilities while the non-physical music therapy aims upon improving any psychological problems of the client. It may also facilitate the children with educational services by boosting their cognitive skills for the purpose of solving analytical problems. The music therapy performed in the group settings is good for providing the skills of interpersonal interaction and socialization amongst the people in the group. When the group members are encouraged to play music together, they unite themselves with the help of a shared beat of the music instrument, and this unity contributes towards making the group more cohesive. The creation of various musical motifs and different sounding instruments permits the children in expressing their individual skills and abilities through group participation. Thus, music establishes a solid medium to manifest the group dynamics (John Pellitteri, 2000). Moreover, music therapy cures the rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or disc problems, reduces depression, chronic pain, makes people realize that they are able to have more control over their pain, and makes them feel least immobilized by their condition. Music is a powerful tool to relax and lose stress, tensions or any sort of anxiety. It enhances the mental functioning, promotes relaxation and healing, and creates a sense of well-being in the clients. The increasing usage of the music therapy for the purpose stroke rehabilitation has been the direct ultimate of the progress that has been made in the technology of brain imaging. This has further resulted into an enhanced understanding and interpretation of the music functionality with the brain’s role. The pragmatic and subjective achievement of music therapy in stroke rehabilitation have provided the means of escalating investigation which are aimed upon the duplication of findings, and translating the neuroscience along with the creation of customary treatment protocols. Working of Music Therapy The ability of music to affect the pains, thoughts and perceptions relate to the theory of gate-control. It works in such a way that when the client listens to the song or an instrument, it goes through the individual’s neurotransmitters and this relays the pain message to the brain. Just at that time, the gate on the pain is shut and the mind focuses on the relaxing effects of the song or the instruments. There are body’s own pain relievers known as endorphins, serotonin, noradrenaline and all those that can reduce the block pain signals. Thus, music sets the endorphins off and the person feels happier, lighter and better. Conclusion The concept of music therapy is not much new to this new, modern world. It dates back to the biblical times and the World Wars, when the soldiers and common people were treated with the help of music for their tensions, anxiety and other physical and metal pains. The music therapy has been described as the clinical modality which utilizes music as the focal point of activity. The inherent potential in the musical instruments, rhythm, songs and lyrics can be used to different treatment and educational services in various settings and as influencing methods of therapy. The music therapists are the consultants who facilitate the children’s and adults’ physical; and psychological development in various functional areas with the help of clinical contacts and the counseling and consultations through the team well versed in the music therapy procedures. It is essential for the educational and psychological professionals to stay updated with the diverse ways of musical incorporation in various settings. References AMTA, Music Therapy Interventions in Trauma, Depression, & Substance Abuse: Selected References and Key Findings, American Music Therapy Association, 2011, Web, Retrieved on April 23, 2012 AMTA,’ About Music Therapy & AMTA’, American Music Therapy Association, 2011, Web, Retrieved on April 23, 2012 Encephalitis Resource Centre, ‘Music Therapy’ 2002, Web, Retrieved on April 23, 2012 Janalea Hoffman, ‘Therapeutic Use of Music’, 2006, Web, Retrieved on April 23, 2012 John Pellitteri, Music Therapy in the Special Education Setting, Journal of Educational And Psychological Consultation, Volume 11, Issue 3, 2000, Print Misic, P., D. Arandjelovic, S. Stanojkovic, S. Vladejic, and J. Mladenovic, ‘Music Therapy’, European Psychiatry, 2006, Academic Search Premier, Web, Retrieved on April 23, 2012 Read More