What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy aims to improve and prolong the brain’s functionality and well-being. Since patients with Parkinson’s or PTSD are likely to be on medication, this form of therapy, fortunately, doesn’t affect it. Depending on the patient’s response and what they wish to achieve from this form of therapy, there are diverse forms of music therapy to engage in. This could be creating music in groups or with instruments to simply listening to it. Music therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on a diverse range of things at various levels. It can help a patient address their PTSD triggers and responses. It can improve their communication skills, build confidence, or manage their anxiety levels.
The Origin Story
Music has been a tool of society for generations, instruments are over 40, 000 years ago. There is a contest on where it originates from, but most studies show that it dates to Ancient Greece. It started gaining massive use in therapy after the end of World War II. Over the next twenty years, colleges began offering research programs of which produced enough evidence to validate and accept the method as a credible form of therapy.
Who Qualifies for Music Therapy?
You don’t have to have a history in musical training like singing or playing the guitar to partake in music therapy. When experimenting with instruments in therapy, improvisation is greatly encouraged. This allows the patient to respond to their emotion at the moment. The spectrum of pitches and tempos uniquely affects the patient’s brain. Those who have social anxiety or struggle with communication will be relieved to know that this form of therapy does not need verbal communication. It’s about creating a medium to express oneself through fun positive experiences.
Where can you go for therapy?
You can go for Music therapy without a referral from a doctor. The process is to find a practice that is convenient for you. This could be in private institutions, community spaces, and educational facilities like schools. Since creating and listening to music isn’t bounded to a physical place, it can be accessible for all patients. Music therapy is a form of healing that has been around for generations and has a great positive impact on the mind in such a holistic manner. Even if you’re not the singer of the group, try to pick up the occasional tambourine can help your mental well-being in the long run.