MUSIC: Why and How does it work as Therapy?

WHY AND HOW DOES MUSIC WORK AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL?

Music has a profound effect on your body and psychology in your mind and there is tons of research out there that can support this. Music Therapy is a continuously growing field; that in which uses music to heal a wide range of patients suffering from various disorders and is even used for pain management. In other words, music can drastically make your life better:

**Socially**

**Cognitively**

**Physically**

**Emotionally**

**Developmentally**

   I would like to discuss is how music really has the ability to heal.

   (When Used Correctly)

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Brain Waves: 

• Music with a strong beat stimulates brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat
• When the beat is faster it is able to promote sharper concentration; 
• Allowing you to think more alertly
• Where as a slower tempo:
•  Promotes a calm/meditative state

Research has found that change in brainwave activity levels that music can bring can also enable the brain to shift speeds more easily on its own as needed, which means that music can bring lasting benefits to your state of mind, even after you've stopped listening.

Breathing and Heart Rate: 

• With alterations in brainwaves comes changes in other bodily functions.
• Functions of the autonomic nervous system (breathing and heart rate) can also be altered by the changes music can bring, which can mean:
• Slower breathing, slower heart rate
• An activation the relaxation response, etc.

This is why music and music therapy can help counteract or prevent the damaging effects of chronic stress and promoting not only relaxation, but health as well.

State of Mind: 

• Music can also be used to bring a more positive state of mind
• Helping to relieve depression and anxiety
• It can help prevent the stress from wreaking havoc on the body
• It can help keep your creativity and optimism levels up

Other Benefits: 

There is no surprise many people see music as an important tool to help their body stay or become healthy. Music has also been found to bring many other benefits, such as:

• Lowering blood pressure
• Boost immunity
• Ease muscle tension, and more.

Using Music On Your Own:

Music Therapy does not have to necessarily be performed by a Music Therapists, you can learn to use music on your own as therapy in various ways.
Music can be used in daily life for

• Relaxation
•  Regaining energy when feeling drained
• For catharsis when dealing with emotional stress, and more