Music Therapy

For thousands of years, music has been used to soothe, inspire and motivate people. People interact with music, and it can alter the nervous system, affecting your blood pressure, temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and tension. Many people use music to help themselves – for enjoyment, relaxation, – or to energize themselves. However, sometimes when people are struggling with difficult health situations such as depression, rehabilitation or dementia, music therapy can be effective in assessing, implementing and analyzing a plan of care. These situations are where formal music therapy programs are used.

Research has shown both physical and mental benefits of music therapy. For formal music therapy, a board-certified musical therapist assesses needs and potential benefits of music therapy. Usually, music therapy works toward a non-musical goal, such as relaxation, gait training, pain management, coping or finding comfort in a hospice setting. A session may include a long song composition, instrument instruction, singing, listening, music combined with imagery or music improvisation. No musical ability is required of the listener. Your acupuncturist will most likely include music therapy in your session.