Introduction
Music therapy is a professional, historical practice in psychology that involves the clinical use of music. The certified professional engagement of music focuses on attaining specific goals for each person involved. Adults, teens, and children enjoy this therapy through listening, singing, and writing songs. Music therapy dates back to early philosophy, Native American culture, and Greek mythology.
The two fundamental methods on which this therapy is based are receptive and active. Participation in therapeutic practice requires no talents or skills, given its extensive experience, such as playing and composing operas. The technique benefits mental and physical health, including reducing stress and anxiety and relieving patient pain. Physiological changes resulting from this include reduced heart rate and improved respiration.
Stress is common among young patients in healthcare facilities and can result in headaches, depression, and social withdrawal. Operas can make one feel relaxed, calm, happy, or energetic, thus being a potential remedy for the shortcomings experienced in hospitals. Music therapy originated in ancient Greek mythology and is currently used to achieve specific health benefits through its various types, depending on the user’s needs.
History of Music Therapy
Humans desired to express themselves through music, making songs a part of life for many years. Ancient man perceived the rustling of leaves and the wind as seductive thrills. Therapeutic music use has been practiced since Greek mythology, the emergence of philosophy, and Native American Culture.
Ancient Greece was the originating point of music therapy, pioneered by the Greek god Apollo (Peterson Family Foundation). The playing of melodies was facilitated by ancient Greek physicians, who used lyres, flutes, and zithers as they treated patients (Zoppi). Songs were also used as powerful educational tools that instilled good morals. Plato stated that operas could teach young children the difference between good and bad and instill knowledge they cannot comprehend (Hsu). The therapeutic use of melodies has increased and is now practiced by therapists in social care, education, and private care.
Using songs to heal has existed since World War I and II. Music therapy was formalized in the 1940s after proving impactful in treating war veterans (Zoppi). During the two World Wars, musicians in the affected societies volunteered to play songs for injured soldiers. After its practice, doctors realized its effectiveness and hired musicians to play in health settings (Peterson Family Foundation). Patients who suffered emotionally and physically noticed changes when they listened to operas.
The therapeutic approach gained fame and became a formal treatment for Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for veterans who returned home (Hsu). Universities now offer training programs, with the first legal degree established in 1944 (Zoppi). Music therapy aims to improve cognitive, emotional, and communication skills and to achieve several health benefits.
Uses of Music Therapy
Therapeutic music applies across all life stages, from birth to old age. This treatment can be used to provide support during pregnancy and at delivery. Less pronounced symptoms of postpartum depression and better health are attributed to when pregnant women listen to melodies.
Music affects the level of anxiety and stress among expectant women and results in calmer children, thus facilitating suitable emotional attachment (Migala). The best time to play songs is at 24 weeks of pregnancy, since the neonate can hear them (Klemm and Abulhosn). Music is crucial as it stimulates movement and supports brain development in unborn babies. The development of premature infants is fostered in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) through the playing of melodies (Klemmand Abulhosn). The therapy helps calm the little one, gain weight, improve sleep, decrease crying, and feed better.
Music therapy can treat children with autism or Down syndrome and help them improve social skills and undergo development. The treatment can help meet toddlers’ psychosocial needs. It can provide opportunities for communication, identifying strengths, and self-expression, thus maintaining self-esteem (Wong). Adults can also get treatment by using music therapy for illnesses like mental health and Alzheimer’s (Wong). Patients’ agitation decreased and communication improved when musical intervention was practiced among people with dementia (Wong).
The therapeutic benefits arise from songs’ ability to evoke memories and emotions, thereby improving cognitive and emotional skills. Music therapy is also used to develop sensory skills through instrument play, thereby enhancing an individual’s visual, auditory, and tactile abilities (Wong). This therapy has health and mental impacts, resulting in the emergence of healthy beings.
Health Benefits
When listening to music, natural reactions such as crying or dancing get expressed without much thought. Songs can access inner emotions that ordinary words cannot reach. Musical therapy promotes physical and mental health benefits to children, teenagers, and adults (Peralta). Migala, in her 2023 article, states that each individual has a unique relationship with songs, regardless of genre. Listening to old, forgotten music on the radio or a phone may trigger memories from the past.
Other benefits include anxiety, depression, and stress reduction, common mental health problems (Kubicek). Many people are affected by anxiety disorders and experience symptoms like extreme fear. The integration of classical music into treatment has benefits, including promoting relaxation and comfort, thereby enabling the management of psychological issues. Melodies can be used as a treatment and help relieve the mental and physical manifestations of uneasiness.
Music therapy results in attaining physical health impacts by treating mental issues like anxiety. Common physiological changes that are likely to be facilitated include increased muscle strength, a regulated heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and improved breathing (Cleveland Clinic). Songs have a rhythm that can be followed when making movements, thus efficiently teaching mobility.
The brain part is responsible for self-regulating tasks like breathing, motion, and pulse rate, which can be influenced by music (Cleveland Clinic). The melodies trigger unconscious responses like tapping the feet with the song or clapping hands without even realizing it. Operas decrease end-of-life suffering by presenting joyful moments with family and friends or providing support (Peralta). Health providers often match songs to the present mood of the patient and change them to promote a shift in state of mind. Various approaches are used to facilitate the provision of music therapy and attain the stated benefits.
Examples of Music Therapy
The music-therapeutic approach involves singing, dancing, making songs, and listening to music. This therapy is open to anyone, as no prior background experience in music is needed to enjoy its benefits. The music approach can be active or passive, where patients create the songs or listen and respond to the specific melodies (Strong). As the field grows, new and different types of therapeutics emerge. Analytical music therapy involves playing a musical instrument or singing a song, thus expressing subconscious thoughts successfully (Strong).
The main aim of this approach is to eradicate any obstacles preventing a client from realizing their full potential. Community music therapy is provided to marginalized classes to improve health and social change and encourage connectedness (Wong). It is only used within a group setting and requires engagement from each associate.
Another type is cognitive behavioral music therapy (CBMT), which combines music and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Under this example, songs are used to modify and reinforce some actions. CBMT is structured and can include playing a musical instrument, singing, dancing, or listening to melodies (Wong).
An example of an improvisational approach is the Nordoff-Robbins music therapy (Strong). It is a treatment where the therapist and the patient engage in active roles to create music (Wong). Through this interaction, clients can express their skills and build relationships with others.
The Bonny method of guided imagery and music (GIM) uses classical music to arouse the fascination of a client (Strong). Lindquist Bonny, an American music therapist, developed it in the late 1960s (Wong). The practice aims at integrating spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical constituents of well-being.
Conclusion
Music therapy is often used to develop identities, improve communication skills, teach emotional regulation, recover from trauma, and self-reflect. It started in ancient Greece with Apollo, who used it to treat the sick. In recent history, local singers adopted this therapeutic approach during the two World Wars. The community artists sang, played for the injured soldiers, and helped them recover.
The therapy applies to all stages of life and has been used extensively among neonates and young children. Health benefits attained from its use include mental and physical well-being. It treats common health issues like stress, anxiety, and depression, commonly experienced by all categories of people due to trauma or expected health issues like cancer. Different types of this treatment offer varying support from each other. Apart from the CBMT and GIM, other common approaches include analytical, community, and Nordoff-Robin music therapy.
Works Cited
Cleveland Clinic. “Music Therapy: What is it, Types & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 2020.
Hsu, Samantha. “Student Blog: The Origins and Usage of Music Therapy in Ancient Greece.” Blogs.ifas.ufl.edu.
Klemm, Abby, and Rajy Abulhosn. “9 Benefits of Music Therapy.” Choosing therapy.
Kubicek, Lorrie. “Can Music Improve Our Health and Quality of Life?” Harvard Health.
Migala, Jessica. “Potential Health Benefits of Music Therapy.” EverydayHealth.com.
Peralta, Lia. “Understanding the Psychology and Benefits of Music Therapy.” Save the Music Foundation.
Peterson Family Foundation. “Health Benefits of Music Therapy.” Peterson Family Foundation.
Strong, Rebecca. “What Is Music Therapy? How Listening to Music, Songwriting, and More Can Help People Cope with Conditions Ranging from Depression to Dementia.” Insider.
Wong, Cathy. “What to Know about Music Therapy.” VerywellMind.
Zoppi, Lois. “Music Therapy: Types and Benefits for Anxiety, Depression, and More.” medicalnewstoday.com.