While it’s easier said than done, the music therapy hits a different note and has a lasting impression on our minds. Depressed, anxious or angry, we all look for the right kind of music to get over them. Music plays a significant role in everyone’s life.
The arguments over the origins of music are unending. But the impact of music on us is undeniable. What makes music so special? I believe it’s the lyrics, composition and arrangement. Believe it or not, we find the right songs that fit all our moods. Tastes might differ from one person to another, but the impact remains the same.
SAS assignment help, gives you hope, lifts your mood and prepares you to start all over again. Researchers suggest that most people define themselves through music and use it as a means to relate to others.
In this comprehensive blog, we will explore the different side of music and understand how medical professionals use music to cure diseases.
Let’s get going!
Music Therapy: Understanding the Different Types and its Significance
Musical tastes can help predict the personality traits of people, and a number of studies have proved the same. So, before we move on to the various types, let’s understand how different musical styles can help identify someone’s personality traits:
Pop Music
Studies suggest that people who love 40’s pop music are extroverts. It also suggests that they are honest and conventional. Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the night” correctly highlights such personality traits. On the contrary, pop music lovers are less creative and more uneasy, according to studies.
Rap and Hip/Hop music
Rap music found its way to the modern world in the 1970s. With time rap and hip-hop music have become a rage across the world. Although rap music lovers are considered aggressive or violent, researchers found them to have high self-esteem and are usually outgoing.
Country music
People attracted to country songs are hardworking, conventional and outgoing. Contrary to the fact that such songs are mostly about heartbreaks, country music fans tend to be emotionally stable. They are not extroverts and are more conservative in nature.
Rock/heavy metal music
If you feel that fans of Slipknot, Lamb of God, Alter Bridge and the likes are aggressive, you are highly mistaken. Research found that rock/heavy metal music fans are quite gentle and creative. However, they might also suffer from low self-esteem and are introverts.
Indie music
Indie music fans are typically introverted, intellectual and creative. These people are also considered to be passive, anxious and have low self-esteem.
Dance music
Dance music lovers are generally outgoing and assertive. As a result, they are ranked high on one of the major personality traits, openness to experience. But fast-paced electronic music lovers are also expected to be less gentle.
Classical music
Musicians consider classical music to be the ultimate form of music. Classical music listeners are creative and have high self-esteem. They are introverts but are easy with themselves and the world around them.
Jazz, blues and soul music
Some personality traits of jazz, blues and soul music lovers include being very creative, intelligent, and extroverts with high self-esteem. They are also very easy with everything around them.
We all try to find ourselves through music, and researchers have used the same to identify personality traits. Now that you know how music defines you let’s explore how music heals.
Music therapy is all about applying different aspects of music to enhance physical and mental well-being. A trained practitioner must look after a person asking for music therapy, and the process may involve:
- Listening to music
- Singing along to music
- Moving to the beat of the music
- Meditating
- Playing an instrument
Music was used as a medicine to cure mental disorders in ancient Greece and has been an important component to motivate, enhance productivity and even drive away evil spirits. Recent researches have linked music to various health benefits such as boosting immune function, lowering stress levels, and improving premature babies’ health.
On that note, here are some music therapies used by professionals worldwide:
Guided meditation
Meditating has always been helpful. Guided meditation is a type of sound healing in which you are asked to meditate to voice instruction. Such practices help in:
- Stress reduction
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Improved memory
- Reduced blood pressure
- Pain reduction
- Lower cholesterol
- Decreased risk of heart disease and stroke
Research has suggested these health benefits can be expected with guided meditation.
Neurologic music therapy
Neurologic music therapy can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. The method is considered more effective than prescription drugs that are used to reduce anxiety levels before surgery. According to a 2017 study, a 30-minute neurologic music therapy along with traditional care helped reduce pain after spinal surgery.
You must look for a credentialed provider if you need neurologic music therapy. A trained practitioner will assess your needs and suggest treatment accordingly that involves creating, listening, singing or moving to music. This is common for physical rehab, pain management and brain injuries.
Bonny method
The method is named after Helen L. Bonny. The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) uses classical music and imagery to help individuals look into personal growth, consciousness, and transformation. Studies suggest that a few GIM sessions can improve psychological and physiological health in adults with medical and mental health issues.
Tuning fork therapy
This is a very unconventional and fun way of treating people. The therapy uses tuning forks to apply specific vibrations to different body parts. The therapy can help release tension and promote emotional balance. Some studies also suggest that this therapy can help relieve muscle and bone pain.
Brainwave entertainment
The method is also known as binaural beats. It helps in simulating the brain into a specific state with the help of pulsating sound to align your brain waves to the frequency of the beat. The therapy is used to help enhance focus, entranced state, relax and sleep well. The impact of this method needs more research. Still, a few studies suggest that this method reduces anxiety, pain, and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and behavioral problems in children.
In a nutshell,
Music has been an effective medicine to heal a lot of things. It can help you deal with any situation. Medical professionals identified the power of research paper writers correctly and formulated some methods to cure diseases through music. The therapies mentioned here are popular in the medical fraternity and have helped deal with serious medical problems. The saying ‘music heals’ has hence been proved.