Music therapists are professionals who provide therapeutic services to patients in hospitals, medical facilities, rehabilitation centers, and so on. The main purpose of music therapy is to soothe and reorient a patient’s mind and help the patient overcome stress, anxiety, emotional issues, or psychological problems. Music therapy is a component of various treatments administered to patients suffering from a range of physical and mental ailments.
A music therapist needs to analyze a patient’s medical history in order to devise a suitable individualized treatment plan. In its primary form, music therapy helps add quality and positivity to a patient’s overall health and well-being. Given below are examples of the use of music therapy in various hospital settings:
Patients suffering from asthma and other lung disorders face severe trouble with their breathing functions. Music therapy helps such patients feel calmer and improve their breathing patterns. Because music therapy helps such patients relax, it has a positive effect on their breathing as well as their heart rates. In another example, some patients suffering from breathing problems are also encouraged to learn to play wind instruments in a controlled manner, which further helps them correct their breathing rhythm.
Music therapy also helps patients recuperating from severe heart conditions and surgeries. Music therapy is known to reduce hypertension to some extent, and thus it serves as an effective stress reliever for heart patients.
Music therapy also helps patients suffering from schizophrenia to cope with their psychological issues. For instance, music therapists advise such patients to express themselves by playing a musical instrument of their choice. During this process, the music therapist assesses the patient’s emotional and psychological state of mind. Research has also proven that schizophrenics show improvements after receiving music therapy. For example, music therapy helps such patients deal with severe bouts of depression. Although music therapy is not a cure for schizophrenia, it is an effective treatment option when administered along with the necessary medication. Schizophrenics tend to be emotionally withdrawn, and music therapy serves as an emotional outlet through which they can express their feelings.
Music therapy is also an effective method of reducing stress levels in women during pregnancy. During pregnancy, many women suffer from anxiety, depression, and apprehension. Music therapy helps these women achieve a calmer state of mind, which also helps their bodies relax.
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