Music & Your Health
continued
Wars are considered to have had a big influence in bringing mental illness to the fore, and in establishing strategies for treatment.
The Civil War helped to create the field of neurology, which advanced our understanding of brain diseases; World War I led to the acceptance of psychiatry as an integral part of medical treatment; World War II lead to the development of screening techniques, group therapy, and an increased use of music in hospitals.
It was observed that military patients recovered from wounds more quickly as a result of physical therapy. The goal was to increase muscle strength, increase joint mobility, and help coordinate movements. Music helped by relaxing patients, increasing endurance, and by providing diversion during long tedious therapy sessions. Music was prescribed as an exercise to strengthen muscles and retrain joints, through the playing of musical instruments. Singing and blowing provided exercise for the lungs and larynx. These treatment methods are still used today. Because music helped entertain and relax patients, doctors soon realized that patients could be anesthetized more easily, and required less pain medication when music was used in the operating room.
As wounded soldiers filled hospital beds, doctors noted that music did more than provide a morale booster; it greatly enhanced the recovery process. Music was incorporated in the army's reconditioning program were it was used in physical and occupational therapy programs. This became the first official recognition of music as a therapeutic means to assist the sick and injured. Toward the end of WWII, musicians were assigned to military hospitals to work directly with patients, and that led to the establishment of the music therapy profession.
"Music therapy is an allied health profession and one of the expressive therapies, consisting of an interpersonal process in which a certified music therapist uses music and all of its facets—physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual—to help clients to improve or maintain their health. Music therapy is the use of music by professionally trained and credentialed health professionals to promote healing and enhance quality of life for their patients. Music therapy may be used to encourage emotional expression, promote social interaction, relieve symptoms, and for other purposes."
Music has been referred to as the “language of the soul.” Music can have a strong influence on the body as well as the emotion. Vibrations of music can penetrate through our skin, ears, bones, and viscera to get to us. Certain vibrations (rhythms) calm us, while others energize us and some trigger our emotions and unleash a variety of responses from extreme sadness to great joy. Music can relieve depressive symptoms, induce relaxation and reduce tension and anxiety.
Clinical trials have revealed a reduction in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, insomnia, depression, and anxiety with music therapy. There is some evidence that, when used with conventional treatment, music therapy can help to reduce pain and relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It may also relieve stress and provide an overall sense of well-being, and enrich a person’s quality of life!
Wars are considered to have had a big influence in bringing mental illness to the fore, and in establishing strategies for treatment.
The Civil War helped to create the field of neurology, which advanced our understanding of brain diseases; World War I led to the acceptance of psychiatry as an integral part of medical treatment; World War II lead to the development of screening techniques, group therapy, and an increased use of music in hospitals.
It was observed that military patients recovered from wounds more quickly as a result of physical therapy. The goal was to increase muscle strength, increase joint mobility, and help coordinate movements. Music helped by relaxing patients, increasing endurance, and by providing diversion during long tedious therapy sessions. Music was prescribed as an exercise to strengthen muscles and retrain joints, through the playing of musical instruments. Singing and blowing provided exercise for the lungs and larynx. These treatment methods are still used today. Because music helped entertain and relax patients, doctors soon realized that patients could be anesthetized more easily, and required less pain medication when music was used in the operating room.
As wounded soldiers filled hospital beds, doctors noted that music did more than provide a morale booster; it greatly enhanced the recovery process. Music was incorporated in the army's reconditioning program were it was used in physical and occupational therapy programs. This became the first official recognition of music as a therapeutic means to assist the sick and injured. Toward the end of WWII, musicians were assigned to military hospitals to work directly with patients, and that led to the establishment of the music therapy profession.
"Music therapy is an allied health profession and one of the expressive therapies, consisting of an interpersonal process in which a certified music therapist uses music and all of its facets—physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual—to help clients to improve or maintain their health. Music therapy is the use of music by professionally trained and credentialed health professionals to promote healing and enhance quality of life for their patients. Music therapy may be used to encourage emotional expression, promote social interaction, relieve symptoms, and for other purposes."
Music has been referred to as the “language of the soul.” Music can have a strong influence on the body as well as the emotion. Vibrations of music can penetrate through our skin, ears, bones, and viscera to get to us. Certain vibrations (rhythms) calm us, while others energize us and some trigger our emotions and unleash a variety of responses from extreme sadness to great joy. Music can relieve depressive symptoms, induce relaxation and reduce tension and anxiety.
Clinical trials have revealed a reduction in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, insomnia, depression, and anxiety with music therapy. There is some evidence that, when used with conventional treatment, music therapy can help to reduce pain and relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It may also relieve stress and provide an overall sense of well-being, and enrich a person’s quality of life!
Article presented by: A. Mogavero
originated from
United Church of Christ
Sedona AZ.
originated from
United Church of Christ
Sedona AZ.