Music Therapy

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Music Therapy

• Chapter 21

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• Music acts like a magic key, to which the most
  tightly closed heart opens.
• -Maria Von Trapp

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An Historical Perspective of Music Therapy

• Music as a form of healing is ageless
• From tribal drumming to medieval court minstrels,
  every culture has used music for relaxation and
  healing.
• The expression, music soothes the savage beast
  is renowned the world over as a simple truth
• The National Music Therapy Association was
  founded in 1950

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Music Therapy

• Music therapy is defined as
• the systematic application of music by the music
  therapist to bring about helpful changes in the
  emotional or physical health of the client.
• And the ability to experience an altered state
  of physical arousal and subsequent mood by
  processing a progression of musical notes of
  varying tone, rhythm, and instrumentation for a
  pleasing effect.

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From Sound to Noise to Music

• Sound is measured in Hertz (Hz)
• Hz measures the vibrations/second
• Sounds are recorded in decibels (dB)
• dB the air pressure detected by the human ear

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The Dynamics of Music

• Tone Pitch
• Intensity Timbre
• Harmony Interval
• Rhythm Perceptual Quality
• All these factors are involved in musics
• ability to promote relaxation

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Music as a Relaxation Technique

• Theories of Music Therapy
• Biochemical Theory
• Entrainment Theory
• Metaphysical Theory

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Music as a Relaxation Technique

• The Biochemical Theory states that music is a
  sensory stimulus that is processed through the
  sense of hearing. Sound vibrations are chemically
  changed into nervous impulses that activate
  either the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous
  system.

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Music as a Relaxation Technique

• The Entrainment Theory, based on a law of
  physics, suggests that oscillations produced by
  music are received by the human energy field and
  the various physiological systems and organs
  entrain with or resonate with the given Hz
  (oscillation) of the music.

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Music as a Relaxation Technique

• The Metaphysical Theory suggests that music and
  song have a transcending quality that provides a
  direct communication with the divine.
• Music is divine in nature
• Many musicians say that when they compose, they
  are eavesdropping on the thoughts of God (e.g.,
  Mozart, Beethoven, Paul McCartney).

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Music Therapy

• For music therapy to be fully effective as a
  relaxation technique, it is best that the music
  be instrumental (without lyrics).
• Type of music selected, listening environment,
  posture, and attitude also affect the quality of
  the relaxation response.

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Physiological Effects of Relaxing Music

• Decreases resting heart rate
• Decreases resting blood pressure
• Decreases muscle tension
• Decreases other metabolic parameters associated
  with the stress response

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Psychological Effects of Music

• Music has a profound ability to effect ones mood
  whether its a lullaby or a rock concert

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Music Therapy Chronic Pain

• Two Theories
• Music serves as a pleasant distraction from pain
• Healing vibrations entrain a healing effect to
  reduce pain
• 7.8 Hz is thought to be the vibration of
  homeostasis
• Dolphins and whales sing at 7.8 Hz

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Steps to Initiate Music Therapy

• Make a good musical selection
• Create a good listening environment
• Create your own mix of relaxing songs
• Select songs without words/lyrics that could
  engage left brain to run amok with emotions.

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Best Application of Music Therapy

• Listening to instrumental music can be a form of
  meditation
• It should be done without distractions (e.g.,
  cell phones, TV, etc.)
• Playing an instrument also qualifies as music
  therapy
• Singing also qualifies as music therapy (so does
  whistling!)