Apr 5 2011

Music Therapy? Why not?

One definition of therapy is a process that aims to reduce the level of man’s behavior and simultaneously enhance the ability of adjusting one’s self. What is the method?
Many studies show that classical music is one of the best music for relaxation and meditation. Classical Music Baroque era music proved as the most effective way to reduce stress. The famous composer from this era include JS. Bach, GF Handel, Brahms, Vivaldi and Mozart. Those who studied the influence of classical music on stress reduction or relaxation also found that when listening to classical music and was associated with a machine EEG (electroencephalogram) = machine which measures brain wave activity, demonstrated record brain wave activity similar to brain wave activity that is meditation. In more specific they found that the composition of the Adagio from the era of Baroque music (which has a rate 60 per minute) is the most able to provide the relaxed atmosphere and increase alpha wave production or activity which is equivalent to the perfect relaxation, hypnosis and meditation. Mozart’s music is an example of this Baroque Adagio, and therefore became very popular as a tool of music therapy which is now known as “the Mozart Effect.”

New Age is the flow of other music which also has grown, well accepted and effective for Stress Management. Included in the flow of New Age, among others, New Instrumental, Space Music, Music for Meditation, Ambient Music, Jazz, Fantasy, World Fusion, Celtic Music, and Acoustic Guitar. Usually this type of music is played in instrumental, without words or poetry
Music turned out to be therapeutic and healing.

Music produces rhythmic stimuli that were captured and processed by the hearing organ in the body’s nervous system and glands of the brain reorganize the interpretation of the internal rhythms of sound into the audience. These internal rhythms affect human metabolism so that the process is going better. Better metabolism will result in the body can build a better imune system, and with a better system body imune system becomes more resilient against possible infections (in Campbell, 1997)
So Let’s Beat The Music:)

 


Mar 17 2011

Future of music therapy

Music therapy is applied by a qualified practitioner whereby music is used in a systematic manner to achieve therapeutic goals or purposes. These purposes or goals may include self awareness, social development, cognitive development and spiritual enhancement. Therefore, music therapy helps in the fulfillment of physical, psychological, communicative and social needs of the individuals. The future of music therapy is quite promising because the level of effectiveness gained in the therapeutic use of music is high.

Music therapy helps a lot in the growth of people of all backgrounds and abilities. It is very useful as a treatment to children with special needs and promotes progress in communication, physical, cognitive, daily and social life. In a hospital, music therapy is used to improve motor and neurological functioning or to relax patients, reduce pain and promote rehabilitation. Music therapy in a psychiatric facility is used by patients to identify and resolve conflicts, improve their self esteem, explore and express their emotions, practice how to solve problems, making or coping important decisions, improving inter personal skills, increased motivation and decreased inappropriate behavior. It helps geriatric clients to improve physical functions, improved social skills, and physical functions in areas like memory, reality awareness etc.

Music therapy utilizes music as a therapeutic stimulus to achieve non-musical goals. Some of the long terms goals of music therapy includes the following:

Physical goals such as improving motor functioning skills like coordination, muscle control, coordination of eye and hand, balance, locomotion, laterality and directionality. Increasing general stamina and endurance, improving functioning of sensory organs, decrease sensitivity of the sense organs, relieve in pain by distracting from pain and discomfort, stimulation of natural pain killers, improving autonomic nervous system response, stress reduction, improving identification of body part, improving physical speech skills.

Cognitive goals comprise of improved learning abilities such as memory, impulse control, recognize, learning, perception, improved communication, alertness, environmental awareness, integration experiences.

Psychological goals includes improved emotional awareness, expressing appropriate behavior, elevated mood, reduction in stress, trauma, fear of illness, enhanced self assessment and environment, improved motivation, increased impulse control, frustration control, improved decision making skills, problem solving skills, supporting a sense of hope, developing personal insight, promoting acceptance, healing and forgiveness, improving self direction and independence, promoting a sense of control over life, sense of accomplishment and promoting spiritual exploration.

Social goals fulfill needs such as establishing relationships, increasing social involvement, peer interaction, eye contact, increasing response to verbal and non verbal cues, maintaining and strengthening interpersonal skills and improving group behaviors.

For more information visit our recommended website music-future.com


Mar 16 2011

Music Therapy Benefits And Mental Health

People noticed the healing, almost miraculous influence of music on people’s mental health long time ago. Nowadays these observations are being successfully scientifically confirmed. Did you know that, according to British scientists, classical music contributes to longer dinners at restaurants? Ever heard that the level of stress hormones in our blood decreases strikingly if we practise listening to relaxing music? Don’t you know that cheerful songs are healthy for people with heart disease?

In case you don’t know a thing about facts enumerated above, this article will both educate you on the issue of music therapy and help you improve mental health through music. So what wonders exactly can music do with people’s mental and physical health? Below are music therapy health benefits explained in detail.

Some scientists conclude that music is a panacea for a lot of mental illnesses. It stabilizes breathing, pulse, helps our muscles relax and speeds up the recovery process.
Music cures insomnia, neurosis, indigestion, depression and relieves stress. What is more, according to the research, music therapy is even used to prevent hair loss in balding men!
Music develops intuition, boosts speed of thought and spices up imagination. It catalyzes one’s intellect and prevents people from sticking to generalities. Music breaks stereotypes and prevents categorical thinking.
Musictherapydevelops communicative skills. It is well-known that music is an international language that unites people of different nationalities, cultures, ages and professions contributing to the unique case of speaking without words – communication through music.
Psychologists state that music helps them establish contact with patients. It eases the process of emotional reactions. Music helps people resolve conflicts and find the long-lost understanding which in its turn enhances their mental health.
Music therapy contributes to intellectual relaxation as well. When ‘listening’ to classical music, for example, human brain enjoys the healing rest… Music provides colourful emotions and helps us get rid of anxieties.

Music therapy also releases emotional tension, influences certain hidden psychological possibilities of people. According to the scholars, music helps us find a way to our souls… What is more, music therapy helps people establish defense against threats and dangers of the world and increases our social activity…

In other words, a truly healing influence of music on one’s mental health cannot but amaze us. We should know that there is also music which causes harm to one’s emotional state though, but if chosen to fit one’s mood and thoughts and if sounds right to you, music therapy will definitely enhance your mental and physical health.

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