Yesterday, as the world celebrated World Music Day, we decided to bring you this informative piece on the therapeutic effect of music.
Music therapy as it is so called cannot be prescribed to anyone as a definitive cure, but it does have the tendency to help motivate the body’s immunity responsive system for faster recuperation. Music also has the power the remove the possibility of a probable relapse.
According to Mukesh Batra, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Dr.Batra’s Positive Health Clinics, music therapy can be considered as an option for post-ailment care to enhance recuperation.
Here Mukesh Batra answers a few questions on the subject and tries to clear all doubts on the same:
How does music serve as a therapy? Can you elaborate the reason or logic behind it?
Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses; design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music; participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow up.
Music – with its component of rhythm – is capable of influencing brainwaves and chakras contained in an individual’s body. It is believed that an all encompassing energy resides within all of us. When we listen to music, which is made up of vibrations that produce sound, we can begin to feel that energy force awakening, as our own innate vibrations connect with the resonance of the music.
Q. When do you usually prescribe for it? Does it come along with a procedure?
The therapy can be prescribed to children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and other aging related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and chronic pain, including mothers in labor as they can benefit from this unique therapy. Healthy individuals can also use music for stress reduction via active music making, such as drumming, as well as passive listening for relaxation. Yes, music therapy is based on an individual’s preferences, circumstances and need for treatment, and the client or patient’s goals help to determine the types of music a music therapist may use.
Q. Is it well known in the medical world?
Yes, The idea of music as a healing modality dates back to the beginnings of history, and some of the earliest notable mentions in Western history are found in the writings of ancient Greek philosophers. The first music therapy degree program in the world, founded at Michigan State University in 1944, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1994.
Q. Does it depend on the type of music too? If so then what are the types? Is rock and heavy music advisable?
It is a common misconception that a certain style of music is best as compared to others. All styles of music can be useful in effecting change in a client or patient’s life. The individual’s preferences, circumstances and need for treatment, and the client or patient’s goals help to determine the types of music a music therapist may use.
Q. Does the timing you listen also depend?
Music Therapy does not follow strict rules and should not be cast into ‘one regime fits all’ treatments. It is based on an individual’s preferences, circumstances and need for treatment, and the client or patient’s goals help to determine the types of music a music therapist may use. Thus the timing differs for each individual, disorder, condition etc.
Q. Can u please give an instance of your patient or anyone who has benefited?
There are a large number of people in the world who have benefited from Music Therapy. In fact most people can relate to the benefits of Music as a healer from their personal experiences. For example – Music in a moving vehicle takes one’s mind off the boredom of a lengthy, listless drive. In the city life where roads are increasingly congested and liberally populated by reckless drivers, many motorists face the danger of fatal health hazards. Music works as a catalyst to control these road-rage stress levels.
The power of music is so intense and intriguing that it can even influence the growth of plants and calm down raging animals. It is not uncommon to find a crying child or an agitated mentally handicapped patient to become calm as a result of certain background music.
Most people listen to music when they are depressed or tensed and believe that it helps. A music therapist only takes this to the next level by studying and researching this field more deeply and using not just listening as a method but also utilize music making, observing music responses in patients to assess health status, song writing, lyric discussion etc. as tools in the therapy.