Published on 03 October 2021

Music Therapy: Types, Techniques, & Efficacy

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Music is a friend of many people. They relate instances with song lyrics in their day-to-day life. This gives relaxation of having something by their side and groove with the beats. When music and therapy meet, a fusion gets built up called “Music Therapy.”

You may have heard about various therapies, but you would admire music therapy the most as it is a quick relief to your mind that gives inner peace. It could be a short-term therapy, but the result is quite impressive.

Sometimes we all need a cup of coffee and great music to take off stress from our life. Music touch on Emotional, Behavioural, Physical, and Psychological aspects of our life. As a therapy, music has been proven to reduce a person's stress. 

Psychologist believes that music therapy improves the quality of life. It includes listening, communicating, and understanding. This method is famous in hospitals for approaching patients and making them comfortable.

What Is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is a remedial approach that uses music's natural mood-lifting properties to help people with depression and improve their well-being and mental health. When the therapy is started, it works as a goal-oriented intervention that may involve:

  • Making music
  • Dancing
  • Listening to music
  • Discussing music
  • Writing songs
  • Singing

The power of music is undeniable. It may help people with depression and anxiety and those who are physically ill or injured; all you need is a little appreciation for sound waves to experience their therapeutic benefits.

Music therapy is a method of treatment similar to art therapy that can be beneficial for many people to ease mental pain and physical health problems. Even those without musical backgrounds might find this form appealing because much good has come out in research about its effects on mental wellness. We have understood enough about music therapy, so let's understand the types of music therapy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Listening to music can increase the blood flow to your brain regions that generate control emotion.
There are two types of music therapy: active and passive.
Some Music Therapy includes: writing and singing songs, playing different musical instruments, using musical devices, exchanging information through music, and improvising.

Types Of Music Therapy

Music therapy is a great way to relax and de-stress, but there are so many different types of music that you can choose. Some therapists may use active or passive interactions with their clients. Therapists try some new approaches in music therapy that includes;

Analytical Music Therapy

Try engaging them through music if you're feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts. You can sing or play an instrument to express what's on the inside of you without even realizing it.
The therapeutic value of analytical music therapy lies in discussing these feelings afterward and exploring and reflecting upon those unconscious ideas that bubble up when we least expect them.

Cognitive Behavioral Music Therapy(CBMT)

Cognitive behavioral music therapy is a combination of Cognitive behavioral therapy and music. In CBMT, with the help of a music therapist, try to reinforce your behavior and alter others. This session's approach is structured and includes listening to music, Singing, Dancing, and playing instruments.

Community music therapy

Music is a powerful force for change, and this format will help you use it. It's done in groups of people who are deeply committed to each other- but don't worry because no singing lessons are required.

Nord-off music therapy

Music can be played as a form of therapy, using instruments like drums and cymbals. There is creating music that utilizes improvisation during sessions; it's used for helping with self-expression & the output should sound casual.

Vocal psychotherapy

Expanding your mind to new horizons is an important part of the transformation. This practice also helps you connect with yourself on a deeper level by using different sounds and exercises that will stimulate emotions in the process, like natural speech or breathing techniques, for instance.

Neurologic Music Therapy

NMT is a type of music therapy that is based on neuroscience. The specific frequency is produced for influencing brain function and behavior. Specialists of neurologic therapy claim that they see the changes in the brain and develop a direct outcome that engages with music.

Benenzon music therapy

The concept of Benenzon music therapy is to provide the patient with a "musical sound identity." The therapist will search for sounds that most closely match their internal psychological state and use those as cues to help them heal.

Most people are aware of what music therapy is, but they get confused with sound therapy. So let's get started with what music therapy is. And what is sound therapy?

Music Therapy And Sound Therapy

Both therapies are distinctive in their setting and goals:

  • Sound therapy is ancient and came from Tibetan cultural practices, while music therapy is a new concept used for self-discipline.
  • Music therapy addresses symptoms like depression and pain, while sound therapy uses tools to achieve sound frequencies.
  • Therapist that uses music therapy works in hospitals, private practices, and substance abuse treatment centers. Sound treatment is suggested as alternative medicine.

Techniques Used In Music Therapy

Different music therapy techniques are used in sessions. It depends on the person’s condition and severity. 

  • Writing lyrics of the song
  • Listening to music(live or recorded)
  • Learning to play different instruments like piano or guitar
  • Creating your own beat
  • Dancing or learning to dance
  • Recreating your favorite songs
  • Choreography 
  • Discussing emotions towards your favourite song
  • Improvising your skill

What Can Be Treated By Using Music Therapy?

Most therapies are used for conditions like stress, but music therapy may be helpful for people experiencing it.

  • Cardiac conditions
  • Chronic pain
  • Dementia 
  • Depression
  • Headaches
  • Negative mood
  • Schizophrenia 
  • Diabetes
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Anxiety or stress
  • Impulsivity
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Respiration problems
  • The trouble with movement or coordination

Music therapy is also used for teenagers and children to:

  • Improve their communication skills
  • Learn to regulate their emotions
  • Recover from trauma
  • Self-reflect
  • Develop their identities

How Does Music Therapy Work?

The way Music frequency affects our mind it’s very complex to understand. All the detail of the music, like pitch, tempo, beat, lyrics, and melody, are processed in different areas of our brains.

The cerebellum (back side of the brain) processes rhythm, the frontal lobes (the most significant part of the brain) understand the signals created by the music, and a small portion of the right temporal lobe helps understand pitch. 

The center of the brain(Striatum) connects the feeling by producing intense physical sign pleasure like goosebumps when you relate to lyrics or heavy beats. Music therapy can use these physical reactions to help people with a mental condition.

Benefits Of Music Therapy

Music therapy is a personalized form of healing that provides benefits to people of all ages. For those with little or no musical experience, it may be their first exposure. It can open up whole new worlds in terms of self-expression through sound, which has been shown to relieve stress symptoms like anxiety.
Getting in touch with music can:

  • Fulfill social needs in adults in a group setting
  • Lower the heart rate and blood pressure
  • Relax muscle tension
  • Music encourages the feeling of calm.
  • You are relaxed most of the time while listening to music
  • Scientifically, it activates the brain regions that influence emotions, movement, memory, and involuntary functions.

Overall, music therapy benefits human mental health and provides calmness, increases confidence and empowerment, and boosts emotional intimacy.

Effectiveness Of Music Therapy

Music therapy is proven to help people with depression and anxiety, sleep disorders, or cancer. There are many uses for this powerful treatment; nowadays, you can find it in hospitals and at home.

Depression

Studies have shown that music therapy is a practical component of depression treatment. It's been linked most with success when combined with the usual remedies like psychotherapy and medication.

Insomnia

Most people love to hear music before sleeping as it helps them fall asleep. Studies have shown that mellow music soothes the body and calms the nerves relaxing the whole body. So music therapy helps people dealing with insomnia, a symptom of depression.

Pain Management

Music therapy is examined as potential energy for chronic pain management for every age group. Music therapy could ease or reduce pain associated with Chronic conditions, Labor and childbirth, or Surgery

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solution 

Depression and anxiety can be treated by medication, but medicines won't suit everyone. Therapies manage to control good situations for the conditions like overthinking and anxiousness.

Even music therapy doesn’t cure mental illness, but the effect of treatment may reduce the symptoms of various conditions, including Anxiety and depression. Music Therapy gives people a different way to express their feeling and talents. Music impact strongly on persons.
 
Music therapy shows how easily you can manage anxiety with the help of little entertainment; if you're suffering from such problems, consider visiting a therapist before the condition worsens.

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