The benefits of music therapy
Music therapy may be beneficial to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words, including children, adolescents, adults and seniors.3
Treatment may help those with:
- Mental health needs
- Developmental and learning disabilities
- Alzheimer's disease and other aging-related conditions
- Substance abuse problems
- Brain injuries
- Physical disabilities
- Acute and chronic pain, including mothers in labor
Groups that benefits from music therapy
There are many different ways music may be used in an uplifting manner. Music therapy differs by providing professional, research-based practices to meet health and educational goals.3
A professional music therapist may directly treat:
- Older adults to lessen the effects of dementia
- Hospitalized patients to reduce pain
- Children with autism to improve their communication skills
- Parkinson’s patients to improve their motor function
- Children and adults to reduce the effects of asthma
Positive musical experiences that are not considered music therapy include:
- A hospital patient listening to his or her favorite songs on a personal music device
- A student playing music in a nursing home
- A piano player playing music in a lobby
- A choir singing to patients
- A musical group performing to a crowd
How to find a music therapy professional
Music therapists work in a wide variety of settings, such as:
- Hospitals, private practices and rehab facilities
- Daycare centers and schools
- Senior centers, nursing homes and hospice programs
Talk to your doctor about whether music therapy is right for you and how to find a qualified music therapist professional near you.
