MUSIC THERAPY
My CD, “Linda’s Song” is very relaxing and peaceful. During the massage session, technicians have used it as the background music, causing more people to requests a copy of the CD. Many use it before bedtime to help them go to sleep. Besides being very inspirational and bringing others closer to God, I consider this CD as one to be used for
in music therapy.
What is music therapy?
Music therapy brings about positive changes in an individual. These positive changes may be evidenced in physical development, social and interpersonal development, emotional or spiritual health, and cognitive abilities.
What are some specific areas where music therapy has had a positive effect?
- Depression
- Stress
- Autism
- Cancer
- Stress Management
- Physical Relaxation
- Promote a Positive Focus
Doctor’s Personal Experience of the Benefits of Music Therapy
Dr. Richard Fratianne was a doctor at the burn unit at MetroHealth Medical Center, and had already introduced the idea of music being used for therapy and healing. While at the Medical Center in 1999, he had surgery for a brain tumor. The surgery had totally messed up his brain and he was very worried that he would not be able to perform delicate surgery on burn patients again.
Dr. Fratianne says “I was trying to recover, but things weren’t working right. I didn’t think I’d have the mental skills again that I needed to return to my profession.
A music therapist working at the same hospital visited the doctor. The ill doctor had played piano, by ear, for most of his life, but couldn’t do this either. Thus, the music therapist began playing a melody slowly, with one finger, and then two.
“And gradually, sitting at the piano, I started getting some of that feeling back in my brain. What I recognize now…was that music involves every part of the human brain. To play music requires rhythm, melody, timing, timbre, harmonics, physical manipulation and responses.”
What was happening, Fratianne said, was that he “was being forced to integrate all part of brain function. As it came back, I regained my ability to do other things that the rehab therapists were asking me to do.”
Thus three months after his brain surgery, Dr. Fratianne was able to perform brain surgery again.
Neuroplasticity-basically the way the brain rewires itself to go around damaged parts-and how it is amplified through the involvement of music-has been a topic studied greatly since then.
Provoking Thought: Based on these discoveries, I am ready to add even more music to my life.
Provoking Question: Are you ready?
Sources:
http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2011/01/dr_richard_fratianne_benefits.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Benefits-Of-Music-Therapy&id=649910
http://stress.about.com/od/tensiontamers/a/musicrelaxation.htm
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/musicsoundtherapy/a/benefits_music_therapy.htm