Music Therapy

Not only does music help one relax, it is said to activate certain parts of your brain which are otherwise not in use. Using this very phenomenon, researchers have come with an alternate form of healing known as music therapy. It basically involves using music in medicine to help patients deal with pain, depression and other psychological factors. It is said that music promotes recovery. Music is considered to be an outlet for emotions and music therapy is very popular in the United States. This is also catching up in India wherein institutes like Sur Sanjeevan Music Therapy Trust in Mumbai spreading the benefits of music therapy widely.

- Aditi Sarawagi

According to the American Music Therapy Association, “Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.”

Music has often been used as a form of therapy for emotional or psychological issues. Using it to treat physical ailments is a new phenomenon catching up in the world now as an alternative form of treatment. Music therapy uses songs, instrumental music, frequencies, rhythm and even vibrations to aid the healing process. A number of new studies are coming out enlisting the correlation of music and mental and physical health. According to a study in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, April, 2013, it was found that music helps in improving the immune system functions and reduces stress as well. It has also been proven to reduce anxiety better than prescription medicines as it reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol and hence music is also associated with relaxation.