Music therapy is a therapeutic approach where healthcare professionals use music to support people of all ages in their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. It is recognized as advantageous for an array of conditions, such as:

• promote personal wellness

• stress management

• alleviate pain

• enhance memory

• promote physical rehabilitation

 

Music therapy offers the unique benefit of engaging multiple sensory systems at once. It can stimulate the visual, kinesthetic, auditory, vestibular, and tactile senses through a single activity. This approach is particularly valuable in aiding children with autism. An informative article, "The Healing Power of Music," details how music therapy assists patients with autism, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. Music serves as an effective therapeutic tool for several reasons:

 

• It can be motivating

• It helps reinforce active listening skills

• It can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation

• It is easily adaptable regardless of age, ability, or culture

• Can release and nurture creativity

• Offers a nonverbal/preverbal means of communication

• Can be experienced individually or in a group