Music Therapy

The Positive Benefits of Music

Music therapy is in popularity growing rapidly in the western world. The idea behind music therapy of course is that the music if played will be absorbed by the patient and lead to healing of various ailments. Music is often played in the background in various medical settings, both traditional and alternative. For instance, dentists commonly have headphones and allow a patient to choose the type of music they prefer to listen to, since it relaxes the patient and distracts them from the dental procedure. Doctor's offices often play soft music in the background for the therapeutic and relaxation effects that music is known to have. Remember the old saying, "music will sooth the soul of the savage beast". Well, apparently there is a bit of truth to that. In alternative medicine such as Reiki or reflexology, or even in traditional massage music will often be played for the positive benefits it supplies.

Music therapy is well known as a treatment for Alzheimer's patients, and others who suffer from dementia. Music therapy is also used in treatment of autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, pervasive developmental disorder, language disorders, Asperger's syndrome (a mild form of autism) and various speech delays. Both children and adults are included in music therapy. In addition to listening to relaxing and sometimes challenging music teaching patients to play instruments has also been found to improve social skills and often control symptoms of various disabilities. Often times the music therapy will be in conjunction with another form of therapy such as yoga, with the two forms of therapy promoting each other and leading to a stronger therapy and more positive effects on the patients.

Children have been discovered to develop more enhanced gross motor and exercise skills through music therapy. Their sensory systems tend to be improved and there is an overall relaxation or calmness that comes about, leading to enhanced memory and more physical and mental awareness. Children who have autism, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome are most especially affected in a positive manner by music therapy. And children with Asperger's syndrome have been found to have their socialization, imagination a, artistic abilities and language skills all improved through music therapy.