Millions of people love it. There are all sorts of variations of it. Music is something that many of us experience daily. But did you know that it can heal as well? Okay, most of you knew!
The following is a quick news story about a how music therapy is helping people heal in not only Alabama, but everywhere. Music therapy is something we hope to cover more this year. So, here’s a quick preamble of things to come.
Transcript of “Healing Through Music Therapy”
“Well, listening to music, it can put you in a good mood…but ongoing research proves it can literally improve a person’s overall health.
The University of Alabama is the only school in the state offering a degree in Music Therapy, and as CBS 42 Leigh Garner reports, the benefits of a song could be life changing.”
Reporter Leigh Garner:
Baby Grace was born premature, six and a half weeks early. She’s still at the NICU at DCH MEdical Center, but she could go home earlier than planned thanks to music.
Ellyn Hamm (Music Therapist):
There’s a lot of different things that happen and we watch what happens and we’re actually recording data as we’re singing with the babies.
Sarah Sandiford (Mother):
She seemed to like it, and with all the research that’s been done with all the therapy…if it gets her out of the hospital faster and helps her develop, we’re all for it.
Reporter Leigh Garner:
Ongoing research has shown that playing live, structured and uncomplicated music for infants can decrease heart rates, increase oxygen intake, lower cortisol levels, and facilitate development…getting preemies out of hospitals days sooner.
But the benefits of music therapy extend to all ages and a variety of people.
Ellyn Hamm (Music Therapist):
When we’re working with patients with dementia, being able to get them to remember something, even for a couple of minutes during the song and have them sing along with us and kind of bring back that person that they used to be is an immediate reward that we get back and that we see every day.
Dr. Andrea Cevasco:
The cortisol level was a nice physiological sign and an indicator that it is working and it is making a difference, as well as their mood.
Reporter Leigh Garner:
Certified practitioners say music therapy can sometimes reach patients in ways other therapies cannot. And a few tunes could save hospitals and insurance providers money.
Lovely post! Music/sound therapy is a powerful tool because it works with vibration!
Wow we are doing a study this week with this with my children in art group work as a therapy. Music and art therapy together is amazing and my students will be painting to all different kinds if music. So true . Music is healing , transforming,uplifting, and so much of a therapy. It is time we saw more people playing instruments and learning in schools for therapy.
Thank you for a wonderful and well-written post about Music Therapy. I look forward to reading more of your writing. Your friendly music therapist, Ginny.
Thank you….
i am school teacher ithink this therapy usefull my job .i like lern therapy
I am a senior citizen and I am fairly active in entertaining many senior organizations and retirement homes. Whenever i do a program the seniors seem to be rejuvinated. I even entertain regularly at the Motion Picture home in the “Harry’s Haven” section (which was named after Kirk Douglas father).The residents probably may have Alzheimers problems but they still liven up when I entertain them. For a glimpse of my program you can see this 88yr.old Blowhard if you log on to Henry Samuels Harmonica You Tube.
thank you. Very -tentatively- thrilling. I saw a video of a man in America- an old fellow in a nursing home. Never speaks. they put headphones on him on- and Wow! he came to life, ideas and passion just poured out of him. People!- he is really worth watching. You can see him on YouTube- type in ‘Elderly man revitalized by music’. About 6 minutes long. I am now-due to this video you kindly posted, and the one on YouTube of the elderly man- considering finding some sort of real easy device- (Ipod-ish kind of thing)- 7 filling it with music from my 90yr old aunt’s old music, as she has some sort of Alzheimer-ish thing setting in. Something absolutely simple to operate. And taking it to her once she goes to a home, which will occur. Thank you
Are there any sites like this with ideas for music therapy???