Music is an inevitable part of human life. It can make us cry, smile, dance or think. It accompanies us during the most important life events and in everyday situations.
Because of its effect on our feelings, music started to be used as a therapy methody, particularly for people with depression, anxiety or other emotional problems. Though, music therapy is a more common practice in mental health treatments, it may also improve the quality of life of people with physical disabilities.
Dr. Hoang, a leading doctor in occupational clinic in Miami, shares few positive aspects of using music as a therapy tool on our body and mind.
Fighting depression
Studies show that in comparison to traditional therapy, music therapy helped to achieve better results when fighting with depression. One way to think about it is that music encourages us to express our repressed emotions, resulting in relief. Another aspect is that when we listen to music a neurotransmitter – dopamine – is released. This helps activate the part of our brains responsible for reward and pleasure, which results in making us feel happier.
Boosting creativity
How often do you turn on the music when working on a new project or doing homework? If your answer is “not often” you may want to rethink that. Because music is believed to boost creativity. Finnish researchers found that the mind-wandering mode suddenly activates when the brain is processing a melody and stimulates the generation of creative ideas. Music can also put you into a relaxing mode in which decisions are made easier.
Read more articles from occupational therapy clinic Miami in our blog
Restoring a speech
People who have experienced a stroke or a traumatic brain injury may benefit from music therapy as well. In cases where a disease has damaged their left-brain region, people can fool the brain and try to sing instead, because singing originates in the right side. Instead of saying, they can sing out their thoughts and then gradually drop the melody.
Former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords used this technique after a gunshot to the head destroyed her ability to speak.
Pain relief
Music is believed to have an effect on people’s perception of pain and their stress level. Although, exact mechanisms through which music reduces pain are still unknown – researchers assume that it is connected to the decreased production of a stress hormone cortisol, which happens when a person listens to the music.
This has an implication for people with arthritis, cancer, or chronic pain.
Want to know more about our occupational clinic in Miami?
Read more about our occupational therapist in Miami or Contact Us.
We provide hand therapy for various hand-related conditions, physical therapy and massage therapy. Our Miami clinic offers an open and friendly environment where you will feel comfortable being treated by an OT/CHT in a one-on-one setting.
“The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.”
