About Music Therapy

Music is one of the great pleasures in life and exists everywhere, in all world cultures. The type of music that appeals to an individual is, of course, greatly influenced by a number of factors including the listener's age, social influence and cultural background and, while music for pleasure dates back beyond recorded history, it is only since the 1950s that the therapeutic benefits of music with a prescribed pattern of sounds, melodies and harmonies have begun to be understood and used as a therapeutic tool known as 'music therapy'.

"Music calms the savage beast" may be an old saying but the real physiological effects of music therapy are fascinating and well documented. Correctly used, music can change neuronal activity and respiratory patterns which can result in a significant reduction in anxiety, stress, tension and even pain levels.Surprisingly, certain kinds of music may have a consistent physiologic effect regardless of a listener's age or usual music preference.

In a study (1) of adults and teenagers involving a broad range of music styles from classical through to grunge, results were very interesting. Perhaps predictably, grunge music led to "significant decreases in a feeling of relaxation, mental clarity, vigor and a sense of compassion".

Less predictably, classical music resulted only in decreased tension, but had little effect on other feelings. It was only the steady 60 beats to the minute rhythm of "new age" music that saw a significant increase in a sense of relaxation, mental clarity and vigor and a reduction in hostility, sadness and fatigue.

With increased study and interest over the years, music therapy has gained huge acceptance and is now commonly used in hospitals, clinical and teaching environments. Medical schools are beginning to have students listen to music in courses on medical humanism to promote desirable characteristics such as caring, empathy, respect for human dignity, compassion and fostering relationships (2).

(1) McCraty R, Barrios-Choplin B, Atkinson M, et al: The effects of different types of music on mood, tension, and mental clarity. Altem Ther Health Med 1998; 4(1):75(2) Newell GC, Hanes DJ; Listening to Music: The case for its use in teaching medical humanism. Acad Med 2003;78 (7): 714

The therapeutic effect of music
Music has always played an important role in society. But it was only in 1950s that the therapeutic effect of music was scientifically understood.

Music therapy uses musical elements - sound, rhythm, melody and harmony - to promote communication, relationships, learning, mobilisation, expression, organisation and other relevant therapeutic objectives through music.

As a result - the physical, emotional, mental state of a person can change into a positive state. Music therapy is used on many types of patients. Some very interesting results are achieved on The mothers and babies.

The baby music resonates with both mother and baby, and incorporates the fundamental principles of music therapy which suggest that a tempo of 60 beats per minute encourages a deep, even and relaxed breathing pattern.

Wellness & Wellbeing combines the power of Aromatherapy and Music Therapy to assist women and men in coping with stress or just in need of some time out.