How to Use Music Therapy
The concept of music therapy seems New Age, but it was the ancient Greeks who first thought disease could be healed with music. Today, music therapy is used by alternative healing centers and in mainstream medical settings as an adjunct to pain relief and to promote relaxation. It's found in operating rooms, nursing homes and neonatal units, and you can easily learn to use music therapy in your own home.
1
Keep a collection of a variety genres of music and classify each selection according to the mood, memory and emotion they draw out from you. If you are feeling blue, upbeat rock and roll may help. If you're feeling a bit sorry for yourself, try one of those sillier golden oldies. If you are having problems sleeping, mellow Baroque music should help you drift away.
2
Spend a few minutes at the end of every day tuning into your emotions by playing one of your favorite instrumentals, preferably classical or acoustic guitar. Minimize outside distractions and let yourself be carried away with the melody. Close your eyes and imagine being in a place you've always wanted to visit, or a place you once visited where you'd like to return, and feel your stress dissolve.
3
Banish mild depression with nature sounds, the natural music of life. The soft chirping of birds, the rippling of a stream, the swoosh of the waves splashing on to the shore can help our more positive energies start flowing within us.
4
Stop thinking when feelings of irritation surface and start singing. There are rules to this: the song must be cheerful; the singer can be off key; and the singer can be loud. Performed with energy and passion, the singing becomes a mild physical and emotional exertion and a great way to blow off some steam.
5
Reduce pain after surgery, during a dental procedure, while in labor or when a headache pops into your day - all with music. There is some evidence that when used with conventional medical treatment, music therapy can also relieve nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy.
6
Start teaching music appreciation to
children
early. Research has proven infants react most to music and their mother's voice. A lullaby, sung by mom or just played from a CD, can help premature or low-weight
babies
thrive. Older children with autism, attention deficit disorder or various learning disorders can also be helped with music therapy activities.
Tips & Warnings
While music can be therapeutic for depression, it is not a cure. Consult your physician if you are feeling depressed or anxious.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2060508_use-music-therapy.html
The concept of music therapy seems New Age, but it was the ancient Greeks who first thought disease could be healed with music. Today, music therapy is used by alternative healing centers and in mainstream medical settings as an adjunct to pain relief and to promote relaxation. It's found in operating rooms, nursing homes and neonatal units, and you can easily learn to use music therapy in your own home.
1
Keep a collection of a variety genres of music and classify each selection according to the mood, memory and emotion they draw out from you. If you are feeling blue, upbeat rock and roll may help. If you're feeling a bit sorry for yourself, try one of those sillier golden oldies. If you are having problems sleeping, mellow Baroque music should help you drift away.
2
Spend a few minutes at the end of every day tuning into your emotions by playing one of your favorite instrumentals, preferably classical or acoustic guitar. Minimize outside distractions and let yourself be carried away with the melody. Close your eyes and imagine being in a place you've always wanted to visit, or a place you once visited where you'd like to return, and feel your stress dissolve.
3
Banish mild depression with nature sounds, the natural music of life. The soft chirping of birds, the rippling of a stream, the swoosh of the waves splashing on to the shore can help our more positive energies start flowing within us.
4
Stop thinking when feelings of irritation surface and start singing. There are rules to this: the song must be cheerful; the singer can be off key; and the singer can be loud. Performed with energy and passion, the singing becomes a mild physical and emotional exertion and a great way to blow off some steam.
5
Reduce pain after surgery, during a dental procedure, while in labor or when a headache pops into your day - all with music. There is some evidence that when used with conventional medical treatment, music therapy can also relieve nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy.
6
Start teaching music appreciation to
children
early. Research has proven infants react most to music and their mother's voice. A lullaby, sung by mom or just played from a CD, can help premature or low-weight
babies
thrive. Older children with autism, attention deficit disorder or various learning disorders can also be helped with music therapy activities.
Tips & Warnings
While music can be therapeutic for depression, it is not a cure. Consult your physician if you are feeling depressed or anxious.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2060508_use-music-therapy.html
