Music: How Can it Be Used to Improve Our Health?

The impact of music on us is undeniable. It comes as no surprise that the expression power of music is so widely used. With its vast range of styles and sounds, music can reach each and every one of us, no matter where we come from. It can stir our deepest emotions, connect us to treasured memories, and offer a meaningful way to express who we are.

Music can lift us up or slow us down. It can help us drift off to sleep or give us the burst of energy we need to push through a tough workout. It brings people together, crossing boundaries of race, culture and language with ease. And beyond its emotional pull, music can also support our health and overall wellbeing.

Music and Health

Research continues to show that music offers a wide range of advantages that influence many aspects of our health, which is why it has become an important part of care in so many healthcare settings.

Some of the areas where music is commonly used include:

• Palliative care

• Rehabilitation facilities

• Pediatric units

• Mental health services

• Radiology facilities

• Maternity wards

• Speech and language centres

• Operating theatres

• Elderly care facilities

In addition to the list above, music finds its way into many areas of medicine, offering meaningful support in the treatment of a wide range of health conditions.

Music Therapy

Music therapy can be defined as:

A therapeutic approach that uses the naturally mood-lifting properties of music to help people improve their mental health and overall wellbeing.

It is essentially the evidence-based use of music as a clinical intervention, helping people work towards personal goals in a therapeutic environment guided by a trained professional.

Music therapy can be offered one to one or in a group depending on what someone needs. It draws on goal-focused activities that bring people into contact with music in different ways, from playing instruments and writing songs to singing, moving, or simply listening with intention.

Different Types of Music Therapy

Music therapy can take two forms: active or passive. In active therapy, the patient engages directly in creating music, while in passive therapy, they listen to and respond to music in a more receptive way. Often, therapists combine both approaches, blending creation and listening to achieve the desired therapeutic outcome. Some of the most common types of music therapy include:

Analytical Music Therapy

This approach encourages the exploration of the subconscious through improvised music. By singing or playing instruments, individuals are guided to express thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to articulate with words alone, creating a bridge between inner feelings and outward expression

Benenzon Music Therapy

Similar in its focus on the subconscious, Benenzon music therapy uses psychoanalytic methods to explore a patient’s psychological state. The therapist then matches specific types of music to these emotional patterns, allowing music to act as a mirror for the mind.

Cognitive Behavioral Music Therapy (CBMT)

CBMT combines the structured principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with the power of music. CBT helps individuals recognise and manage thought patterns and behaviours, and in CBMT, music is used to reinforce positive change, providing a dynamic and creative way to practise coping strategies.

Community Music Therapy (CoMT)

Community music therapy takes place in a group setting, using music as a social connector. It promotes self-expression, encourages participation, and strengthens relationships, creating a shared space where people can communicate, collaborate, and heal together.

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy (Creative Music Therapy)

This improvisational method involves co-creating music with a therapist, often through instrument play. The process supports the development of speech, language, and cognition, turning each session into a creative dialogue between music and mind.

The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM)

GIM invites individuals into a journey of the imagination, using classical music to evoke vivid imagery and emotions. Through guided exploration of these mental landscapes, participants gain insight into their inner world and uncover hidden feelings and experiences.

Vocal Psychotherapy

Vocal psychotherapy utilises the voice through breathing exercises, sounds, and singing to deepen self-awareness. By connecting with their own voice, individuals develop a richer understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, encouraging a stronger sense of self in the process.

How Does Music Benefit Health?

The highly personalised nature of music therapy, combined with its remarkable adaptability, allows it to support a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. This versatility also makes it suitable for people of all ages, from children to older adults. That said, music therapy tends to be most effective when used alongside other therapies and treatments, complementing them rather than replacing them.

Music exerts its effects by activating specific areas of the brain that govern emotions, movement, sensation, memory, and other involuntary functions. This stimulation can trigger a variety of direct physiological responses, including:

• Reduction in heart rate and blood pressure

• Decrease in muscle tension

• Hormone release and regulation

• Stress relief and mood improvement

• Enhanced motor skills

• Improved communication, cognition, memory, and learning

• Expression of positive emotions and feelings

Through these effects, music therapy not only supports physical health but also promotes emotional and cognitive wellbeing, creating a uniquely holistic approach to care.

Using Music Therapy

The applications of music therapy are wide-ranging, offering a harmonious approach to supporting individuals across all age groups. From children to older adults, music has a unique way of soothing the mind, uplifting the spirit, and complementing traditional treatments.

Some of the health conditions where music therapy has shown particular benefit include:

• Stress

• Depression and anxiety

• Autism spectrum disorders

• Dementia and other memory-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease

• Chronic pain management

• Cardiac-related conditions

• Speech and language difficulties

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Respiratory disorders, such as asthma

• Rehabilitation after injury or medical procedures

• Addictive disorders, including substance abuse

• Movement or coordination challenges

• Stroke recovery

• Sleep disorders, such as insomnia

• Support for premature infants, including promoting weight gain and better sleep

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Behavioural difficulties, including emotional regulation and coping skills

• Learning and developmental challenges

• Mental health issues arising from long-term health conditions

The Power of Music

Music is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures, and generations. It has a remarkable ability to bring people together and, at times, even change lives. Beyond shaping our emotions, thoughts, and behaviours, music can play a meaningful role in supporting the treatment of various health conditions, making it an indispensable companion in the pursuit of health and wellbeing.

While music alone cannot replace traditional medical treatment, its therapeutic potential should not be underestimated. After all, music is a powerful form of art, capable of improving health outcomes, lifting spirits, and enriching quality of life in ways that medicine alone sometimes cannot.

"The power of music to integrate and cure...is quite fundamental. It is the profoundest non-chemical medication". ~ Oliver Sacks