The Miracles of Music Therapy
Tags: Therapy, Music, Music Therapy

The earliest signs of music therapy were actually in the early 1800’s. According to Frey, and Rebecca J “King Saul was reportedly soothed by David’s harp music, and the ancient Greeks expressed thoughts about music having healing effects as well.” Saul, according to the Hebrew bible was the ruler of the United Kingdom of Israel in the late 11th century BCE.

King Saul’s Music Therapy Provided By Bibliolore

If a king from the late 11th century used music as therapy, then there are many reasons people such as us need therapy. From physical therapy, psychiatric therapy, mental therapy. All these therapies have a purpose for a specific trait or “disability” that a person has. So where does music come into play? Well, Music therapy covers a lot of aspects that most therapies do as well! Such as cognitive function, mental function, autism, Alzheimer’s, and even depression. I believe music therapy should get more recognition for what it is worth. What can music do in terms of therapy? Well, for example if you know anyone that may be suffering from Alzheimer’s or of memory loss then music therapy can help regain some lost function or memories. By just playing a familiar song and with enough practice, one can remember certain words or phrases that were completely lost to them otherwise.

According to Turner, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey, PhD who wrote the article Music Therapy in The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine “Brain function physically changes in response to music. The rhythm can guide the body into breathing in slower, deeper patterns that have a calming effect. Heart rate and blood pressure are also responsive to the types” This is amazing for people with severe anxiety, depression, or even for people on the spectrum to learn self-control through practices such as this. Another great example of Music therapy being used is on patients who suffer from lost cognitive function. Whether they lost the ability to speak or even move their hand, Music therapy with enough practice and sessions can help regain some of those lost functions and speaking abilities.

Have you ever felt yourself struggling in middle school, elementary or even today as an adult? Be it from learning disabilities with reading, math, science, or social anxiety where your anxiety takes over. Music Therapy has been proven to help many people overcome these situations. According to Frey, Rebecca J who helped with the article Music Therapy, “Music therapy is the clinical use of music or music-making to assist the physical, spiritual, cognitive, or social needs of individual patients or groups” “music can be used to help children with learning difficulties find a way to express themselves” Here is a short video provided by Michelle M. Muth, the owner of M3 Music Therapy showing what this type of therapy can provide for her clients.

here is another short video and great example of what Music Therapy can do for young children provided by Children Hospital Boston’s.

For how long Music therapy has been around, I think it is safe to say that Music Therapy needs more recognition. Not only does this type of therapy needs more recognition from people like me and you, this type of therapy also needs recognition in the health insurance business. According Sounding Joy Music Therapy, they state that Medicare, since 1994 was able to take Music therapy as a reimbursement under benefits for PHP (Partial Hospitalization Programs) Music therapy has been around since the early 11th century, how is it that only up until recently, health insurances have been taking Music Therapy as a serious way of recovery? To answer that question, we must go back to the 1940s during WWII, where according to the website https://samsfans.org/history-music-therapy/ is really where Music Therapy was recognized as a real profession. The reason was to help wounded soldiers, and members. Now they did use music to sooth and aid soldiers, but they strictly did not call it Music Therapy. Instead, they called it Music Recreation Service or Reconditioning Program according to the YouTube video provided on the website above. Eventually by 1950 is when we finally saw the programs such as NAMT (National Association of Music Therapy) and the AAMT (American Association of Music Therapy). These two programs developed and brought a new light on the miracles of Music Therapy.

Going into 2021, I think we should all recognize where Music Therapy has come from and give it the recognition it deserves. Without Music Therapy, we wouldn't have the tools or knowledge for our consciences self we have today. There is always things to improve. Such as Health Care in general. We are here to take it one step at a time.