What does music therapy involve?
Music therapy has been used throughout history by healers in many cultures, including the Greeks, Egyptians, Native Americans and Indians. Music can have therapeutic value when patients either sit and listen to music, improvise tunes, write songs, discuss lyrics, perform compositions and actively participate in its production. It can be beneficial for patients of any age, ethnic or religious background or stage of illness. How is music therapy thought to promote wellness and optimize overall health? Proponents believe music has the ability to assist emotional and physical healing and enhance quality of life and well-being. Music therapy has been reported to reduce pain, anxiety and depression, improve mood, calm or sedate, induce sleep, counteract fear and alleviate physiological discomforts of illness. What has been proven about the benefit of music therapy? It is accepted that music has the power to affect one’s temperament and how one feels. However, a clear explanation of how music
