Music Therapy is a form of treatment using music and musical instruments in order to restore, maintain and improve physical, physiological, psychological and spiritual health and well-being.
Benefits of Music Therapy
Music therapy, when used, brings about following benefits or changes in patients and individuals :-
□ It produces reduction in anxiety and stress, often producing sedation and even sleep.
□ It can alleviate pain and discomfort in conjunction with anaesthesia or pain medication.
□ It can bring about positive changes in mood and emotional states.
□ It can counteract apprehension or fear.
□ It can lessen muscle tension bringing about relaxation of the body.
□ Music therapy brings about active participation of the patient in his treatment.
□ The length of stay in the hospital or treatment period is decreased.
□ An emotional bond develops between the patient, his family members and the doctors.
□ This type of therapy is enjoyed by all.
□ The whole period of therapy forms a meaningful time spent together in a positive and creative way.
□ It improves communication skills and physical coordination in spastic and mentally retarded patients.
Medical Application of Music Therapy
Music therapy has been found to be useful in the treatment of the following diseases:-Sleep disorders, behavioural disorders in children, mental retardation, stammering and speech disorders, psychiatric illnesses like anxiety neurosis, depression, schizophrenia, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, stroke, acute and chronic pain, hypertension, polio, tinnitus, epilepsy, polio, drug addiction and head injury.
How Music Therapy Helps Patients of Allergy
□ It increases the digestive and metabolic activity in the body – increasing the secretions of digestive enzymes and hormones. This can lead to counteracting the adverse effects of food allergens in case of food allergy.
□ The immune system is boosted up which helps in combating various types of allergies which are mainly due to abnormality in the immune system.
□ Music Therapy improves the breathing activities in the body and helps in expelling or reducing the adverse effects of aeroallergens.
□ Mental stress and tension, which is a major factor in allergy, is controlled by reducing the levels of stress hormones in the body.
□ It stabilises the blood pressure and heart rate and hence prevents complications of the heart. There is improvement in the cardiac output or blood circulation, which invigorates the whole body.
□ Active participation in music and dance enhances activity of nerves and muscles and prevents onset of neuromuscular complications.
□ There is a vast improvement in mood and behaviour of the individual.
□ There is an increased sense of well-being and optimistic approach to life.
The Ragas Useful for Treatment of Allergy Research done in the medical application of Music has shown that the following Ragas are useful in the treatment of allergy: Raga Kalingara, Raga Hindol, Raga Bhairav, Raga Kafi, Raga Hansdhwani, Raga Bihag, Raga Malkauns, Raga Ramkali, Raga Bahar, Raga Deshkar, Raga Lalit, and Raga Jaijaiwanti.