Music is powerful, has multiple health and wellness advantages, and is commonly accessible. Music can work as an individualised therapy for people with disabilities.
Medical News Today stated that music therapy should be used more in health care settings after reviewing the complete range of evidence-based advantages it has. Music can be an essential part of a person’s daily routine if they have a disability.
Music therapy is a well-established, evidence-based professional health practice that uses music to achieve non-musical treatment objectives.
Music therapy, recognised as an appropriate treatment for children with special needs, might entail listening to music and learning to appreciate its sound and lyrics. Music therapy can include singing, playing instruments, or composing music, but musical abilities or talents are not essential. It could also involve synchronising movements to music, such as in a dance or just rhythmic clapping.
Benefits of Music Therapy
Numerous studies have documented the positive effects of music. Music therapy, prescribed by a health care professional, has been a helpful treatment for neurological disorders such as brain injuries, seizures, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and tension headaches. A person with a disability may be eligible for the following benefits:
- Learning is enhanced by the rhythm of music, which improves repetition and memorising.
- It aids in concentrating a person’s attention and allows them to direct their attention more effectively.
- When a person is worried or overstimulated, it calms their nerves and relaxes them.
- Energises and stimulates a person to keep going or pursue more goals.
- Aids communication by motivating and encouraging a person’s speech and paving the way for nonverbal communication.
- Enhances a person’s physical abilities.
- Assists in the management of pain and the alleviation of discomfort.
- Equalises people on a social level, allowing those with disabilities to engage and participate with those who do not face the same difficulties.
- Allows people to express and feel a wide range of emotions and may aid with emotional regulation.
- Enhances self-esteem and provides a general sense of satisfaction.
How does Music Therapy achieve this?
Our brains learn to process and respond to music from an early age. Music affects our body biologically. Our breathing, heart rate, muscles, and even our brain waves are all affected by rhythms.
This is very beneficial for relaxing, but it can also aid learning, recall, and motivation. Music and our brains are so intertwined that singing and speaking employ the same neurological networks. This is how music therapists provide speech therapy and assist their patients in relearning how to talk and communicate following an injury or illness.
Music Therapy Programs for those living with a disability
Music therapy is one of the programs under Ebenezer Mission’s Social Enterprise Project. Our music therapy programs are open to those living with a disability, their families, and the wider community (with a fee).
We have qualified teachers who conduct private music lessons and help build an individual’s confidence and skill level. Contact us for how music therapy may suit you.
