Music Therapy
...presently being used. Music therapy is an effective form of therapy that is used on people of all ages to improve quality of life.
Music therapy has been used in the medical industry for more than 60 years and there are many people who have no idea what it is. During W.W.I., music therapy in the United States began to develop when music was used in the Veterans Administration Hospitals as an intervention to address traumatic war injuries. There were several musicians who were not working and they would go to the Veteran hospitals to play for the injured soldiers. “Numerous doctors and nurses witnessed the effect music had on veterans' psychological, physiological, cognitive, and emotional state” (University Hospitals Health Systems, 2005-2008, para.2).
Many years ago it would be so hard to find a music therapist, but now music therapists are available in many different locations and facilities. Some of the most common places to find a music therapist are in rehabilitation centers, mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, daycare treatments centers, medical hospitals, senior centers, drug and alcohol programs, correctional facilities, developmentally disabled persons, schools, and private practice (American Music Therapy Association, 1999).
Music therapy has evolved significantly throughout the years, and there are multiple areas in the medical field that are working together to incorporate different techniques of music therapy. For instance, “Music therapists work collaboratively with physicians, social workers and other hospital staff to create interventions designed to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication and promote physical rehabilitation” (UCSF, 2003, para. 4). Today music is used for therapy in a variety of ways to treat and heal people who are suffering from a variety of different...
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