Across America, professional therapists are using music to aid in the rehabilitation of their patients. Music therapy is becoming central in teaching people around the world how to improve memory, progress communication and cope with stress.

Music therapy is the use of music to rehabilitate people. It works with the patient’s brain and can make the listener happy or calm. Music influences the body and its actions from infancy. The brain finds peace in the presence of music because the melodies and rhythms can be very predictable and organized. The therapists work in hospitals, hospice centers, mental health centers, senior centers, schools, private practices and many other areas. They write songs, perform and discuss lyrics and images presented in music. In some instances, mostly in private practices, the therapist and patients meet each week to plan ideas for new songs and follow-up on the past week. These weekly meetings tend to include the discussions of songs and lessons in learning certain instruments.

Music therapy helps people improve memory. For people with Alzheimer’s disease, music therapy and live performances aid people detached from the world emerge from the hardships of the disease. Neurons from the brain bring the patient concentration and control. This helps the brain remember different melodies and rhythms, which improves the overall memory of the patients.
Music also progresses communication and education within individuals. Therapists play music for those with special educational needs, those with autism and the elderly. They also give lessons, teaching people instruments themselves. This improves communication skills and maintains emotional and physical health of those in need. The music relieves pain and strengthens the communication skills needed in everyday life. Music can change people’s mood and potentially even help improve relationships between people.

Music therapy helps thousands of people around the world cope with stress and anxiety. It plays a large role in stress relief. Music takes away all attention on stress and helps the listener focus on the lyrics, melody and rhythm of a piece. Listening to music is just one simple way to relieve stress. Another way is to write music.

Songwriting can aid a person struggling with anxiety. Writing down the exact emotions a person is feeling can help explain their problems and how to solve them. Seeing the issues on a pad of paper influences how a person may react to change. Being able to cope with stress and anxiety is key to living a happy and healthy life. Stress brings down the immune system, which brings about unwanted colds and sicknesses. Relieving stress through music is a simple way to prevent illnesses. Taking time every day to listen to a favorite song can help reduce stresses and anxieties of everyday life.

Music therapy is a growing field of rehabilitation around the world as it is proving to be a success in preventing memory loss, improving communication and coping with stress and anxiety in people of all ages.