Healing with Harmony: The Basics of Music Therapy

Imagine you just went through a breakup and you are sitting on your bed eating a tub of ice cream crying your heart out to Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo. Or perhaps you just got a promotion at work and you are playing On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons. Maybe you're even about to go on a first date and you blast Confident by Demi Lovato while getting ready. Anything seem similar about these moments? They all include music. People are naturally drawn to music, and the music they listen to often correlates to an emotion they are feeling or an emotion they want to feel. 

Music isn’t just a catchy melody, its science, and it is because of this that music therapy exists. 

What is Music Therapy

Music therapy is a medical practice that has existed since WWII. It is the use of music or elements of music (lyrics, rhythm, harmony, etc.) to heal. It can help patients of all ages with their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs. This is accomplished through a variety of different ways, but they can be summed up into two categories: active and receptive interventions. 

Active interventions are where the patient and therapist work together to create. This includes but is not limited to: 

• Playing an instrument

• Writing lyrics

• Re-creating music 

• Improv music 

Receptive interventions are where the patient and therapist discuss pre-existing music. This includes but is not limited to: 

• Analyzing lyrics

• Discussing the emotions and memories a song reminds the listener of

Neither type requires pre-existing musical talent, and they are both aimed to help the patient process experiences and learn. 

Benefits of Music Therapy 

Music has the ability to increase levels of dopamine (the hormone that affects happiness) and oxytocin (the “love hormone”), while simultaneously reducing levels of cortisol (the primary stress hormone). Therefore, music therapy can help reduce depression and anxiety. Furthermore, music therapy can help build deeper connections, for music can transcend language barriers. Patients can connect through the emotions the music causes, not just lyrics. Songwriting also has been proven to be an easier way to express emotions and experiences, especially for a patient suffering immense trauma. 

Additional benefits include: 

• Relaxation

• Form healthy-coping skills such as breathing techniques and rhythmic grounding 

• Reduce levels of perceived pain

• Improve physical coordination 

One thing to be aware of, though, is that some music can trigger unwanted emotions or experiences within a patient, but a licensed music therapist should always be present to help process. 

Who can benefit from music therapy?

Anybody and everybody, regardless of age, can benefit from musical therapy. Yet, it is especially helpful in young children; it helps build their behavior, learning, and social skills. Music therapy has also been proven to help patients that experience dementia, brain injuries, stroke, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and learning disabilities. 

References

DeAngelis, T. (2020, November 7). Music's power over our brains. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/11/news-music-power 

Peralta, L. (2022, May 3). Understanding the psychology and benefits of music therapy. Save the Music Foundation. https://www.savethemusic.org/blog/music-therapy-and-mental-health/ 

Cleveland Clinic. (2023, July 18). Music therapy. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8817-music-therapy

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board