A Look Into Music Therapy
A Look Into Music Therapy By Jabari Banfield Music has charms to sooth a savage beast, To soften rocks or bend a knotted oak. (Congrave) There are many 'alternative' (or more accurately put, complimentary) methods of therapy being used by man in order to bring about relief, release, healing, maintenance and upliftment. One of the most dominant yet overlooked aspects to alternative treatment is Music Therapy. The power of music to bring about change and healing has been known throughout history and literature. One of the earliest known examples of its use in this way is in the Bible in the book of Samuel; '... whenever the evil spirit was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it; so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.' Centuries later, professional music therapists are now trying to tap into this almost mystical influence of music to achieve similar goals in the lives of their patients. From the young autistic or disabled child to the adult with schizophrenia or Alzheimer's disease, music therapy is being instrumental in the alleviation of these dreadful problems. But how is music capable of healing on physical, mental and emotional levels? For this we seek to answer the question, 'What is music?' What is music? Everyday, music serves us faithfully, playing an integral part of our public and private lives. It is vastly used in
Drug Abuse - A Danger to Mankind.
Drug Abuse - A Danger to Mankind by Yin Teng Much has been said and done about drug abuse in the past century or so. Yet, till now, this matter still persists, if not, escalating out of hand. The first step to refrain from drug abuse is by learning more about its dangers and consequences. One of the greatest adverse effects is the high blood pressure which comes with drug abuse. An overdose of drug consumption causes one's blood pressure to rise to a dangerous level as the blood becomes too concentrated with chemicals from the drugs. Besides, bleeding of the nose occurs as the flow of blood in the body has been disrupted by high dosage of drugs. In addition to that, drug addicts are at high risk of contracting hepatitis as they may get infection from shared syringes. They also increase their chances of contracting HIV through the sharing of needles when injecting drugs. Other dangers of drug abuse include seizures, or sudden strong attacks which affect the brain, otherwise known as fits. Not only that, there is also a risk of stroke, which can lead to paralysis of the body, partially or entirely. Furthermore, drug abusers usually suffer from emotional breakdowns, chiefly because of their extremely strong urge for drug consumption. This further leads to many complications in the victim's life, as well as to his loved ones, not to mention a danger to the society as drug
This is a two part assignment looking at clients with a range of bereavement and mental issues, how person centred therapy could be used. It will also examine other theories and systems that are available to clients outside of the therapy room.
HEA 2073 Life Experiences and Mental Health Theoretical Assessment This is a two part assignment looking at clients with a range of bereavement and mental issues, how person centred therapy could be used. It will also examine other theories and systems that are available to clients outside of the therapy room. Part 1 John is 42; 3 years ago he lost his partner of 15 years to cancer which had only recently been diagnosed. Since then he tells me that he has lost his job as a car mechanic and his house and has an increasing struggle with everyday tasks such as getting up in the morning and basic hygiene. Most days he feels worthless and has no place in the world anymore. John recently went to see his G.P. about his situation, was assessed and prescribed anti-depressants by way of sertraline and was referred for counselling. After an initial assessment by the primary mental health team he was put on an 18 month long waiting list. Two months after seeing his G.P. he had decided to seek counselling privately. With so many losses in the last 3 years, his partner, job and house, it would be easy to make assumptions about how John has come to be where he is at this moment. It is important to allow the client to lead as 'person-centred therapists take their direction from their clients' (Wilkins 2010:257) and as with any client, to provide the core conditions of congruence,
Music Therapy and Its Effects
Music Therapy and its effects.[1] A powerful force that is commonly taken for granted, music can be consciously used to serve many purposes. Such purposes include motivation or reward, a means of reducing boredom and even manage time, by setting a desired pace for the listener (Ortiz, 1999, p. Introduction xv). Considering the breadth of such a subject, it is essential to contain the contents of this essay into a focused discussion. Namely, music, its use in therapy and the effects it generates. This essay will also discuss the different arguments for the support of various therapeutic effects of music, along with its detractors. In recent decades, an enormous amount of research has been conducted on specific ways in which sound, rhythm and music, in general, can improve human lives. Arguably, one of the most interesting of them all is the “Mozart Effect”.[2] Supporters of this ‘phenomenon’ claim that listening to Mozart’s music can affect you positively in a number of ways. Mainly, it improves one’s spatial-temporal reasoning skills and that early childhood exposure is beneficial for mental development. Let us take a closer look. Spatial-temporal reasoning skills refer to the ability to visualize spatial patterns and mentally manipulate them over a time-ordered sequence of spatial transformations. This ability, often referred to as "thinking in pictures", is
Modern research has shown that depression is a biological disease, because it can be effectively treated by drugs critically evaluate this claim.
Modern research has shown that depression is a biological disease, because it can be effectively treated by drugs - critically evaluate this claim Fiona Thompson 20215454 Word Count: 1865 Everyone, at some point or other in their life will feel the blues - it is an expected part of life. Nothing can be plain sailing all the time. Some individuals shake off feelings of sadness and loss with great dexterity, whereas others find it somewhat harder, and may sink into a deeper place emotionally. Depression is a multifaceted disorder: biological triggers resulting from the perceptions within the sufferers cognitions. It may be treated biologically, psychologically - or both. Research does show that pharmacological treatments do work - evidence has to be available from drug companies stating their drugs are beneficial in order for them to be licensed. However, just because a drug is licensed, and treats an illness to some extent, that the illness (for want of a better word) is biological in nature. Depression is an illness that is affected mainly by how a person feels psychologically about themselves and the world around them. Therefore, in order to evaluate the above-mentioned claim, it may be beneficial to highlight issues related to diagnosis, review the biological medical model of depression and the functioning of pharmacological intervention and discuss the
Music therapy and my personal response
Music Therapy Music is a one of the way of self-expression and communication in one of the most admirable levels of one's life. Music with human beings has been existed for a long time in a very different shape and way. The most important aspect of music is that it can be used as an emotional exit for people who have trouble in expressing themselves in words. Music aids build connections and support in learning and in communicating. Therefore, music has been used for medical treatment stated as Music Therapy. Canadian Association for music therapy (CAMT) defines Music Therapy as "Music therapy is the skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Music has nonverbal, creative, structural, and emotional qualities. These are used in the therapeutic relationship to facilitate contact, interaction, self-awareness, learning, self-expression, communication, and personal development." The use of Music Therapy as a healing procedure is an ancient practice (Buzzle.com, 2004). The reference can be found in Biblical Scriptures (Ibid.). Native Americans accepted as true in the efficiency of music in therapeutic both the body and the soul, and made it a vital part of their curing ceremonies (Ibid.). Music Therapy happened to be such a central part of medical treatment during
Drug abuse and dependence
The term drug abuse most often refers to the use of a drug with such frequency that it causes physical or mental harm to the user or impairs social functioning. Although the term seems to imply that users abuse the drugs they take, in fact, it is themselves or others they abuse by using drugs. Traditionally, the term drug abuse referred to the use of any drug prohibited by law, regardless of whether it was actually harmful or not. This meant that any use of marijuana, for example, even if it occurred only once in a while, would constitute abuse, while the same level of alcohol consumption would not. In 1973 the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse declared that this definition was illogical. The term abuse, the commission stated, "has no functional utility and has become no more than an arbitrary code word for that drug presently considered wrong." As a result, this definition fell into disuse. The term drug is commonly associated with substances that may be purchased legally by prescription for medical use, such as penicillin, which is almost never abused, and Valium, which is frequently abused, or illegal substances, such as angel dust, which are taken for the purpose of getting high, or intoxicated, but actually have no medical use. Other substances that may be purchased legally and are commonly abused include alcohol (see alcoholism) and nicotine, contained in
Stroke patients in physical therapy
Article: Balance and Mobility Following Stroke: Effects of Physical Therapy Interventions With and Without Biofeedback/Forceplate Training The article that I've chosen is about a study that is attempting to find out if the addition of biofeedback/forceplate training to a normal physical therapy program for improving balance and mobility in hemiplegics is more successful at improving balance and mobility than a normal physical therapy program alone. The authors of the article noted that a majority of adults who fall are CVA patients. Often times strokes result in hemiplegia which may have adverse effects on a persons ability to maintain proper balance. Poor balance is the most common reason for a person to fall. The authors note that, according to age-matched control group results, in hemiplegic pt.'s there is an increase in postural sway, an impaired symmetry of weight bearing, and a reduction in patients' limits of stability compared to people of a similar age. A fear of falling also develops in pt.'s that have fallen which results in them avoiding many functional activities. This avoidance of activities often results in "a decline in independence." The authors of this article note that there were studies similar to this one but differ in the fact that those studies compared biofeedback/forceplate training alone to a normal physical therapy program. The study included a
Introduction to Sports Therapy Techniques
Introduction to Sports Therapy Techniques L.O.1 As a Sports Therapist, sports massage is an important part of the profession. Sports massage is a skill and involves the use of many different techniques, each with their own benefits. Effleurage is one such technique and is carried using the palms of both hands, the pressure applied through Effleurage is towards the heart and is done so by using long strokes up the limb and then returning back down with a lighter pressure. Throughout this technique, the hands remain in constant contact with the limb, helping to warm and relax the muscles while applying the oil or other massage media at the same time. Throughout Effleurage, strokes run the full length of the muscles and pressures range from superficial to deep, strokes also run longitudinal to the muscles fibres as well as transversely to the muscle fibres. Petrissage will often continue on from Effleurage and is another technique used in sports massage. Petrissage, like Effleurage, involves the use of both hands which rhythmically and smoothly glide across the muscle, each hand alternatively grasping, squeezing and lifting the tissue in succession. As with all massage techniques, Petrissage helps stimulate circulation as well as loosening soft tissues through the grasping and squeezing involved in the technique. Friction is another technique that can be used and while
An investigation into the effect of exercise on clinical depression.
An investigation into the effect of exercise on clinical depression Problems with depression are by no means limited to those who are clinically diagnosed as being so. Generalised, negative affect is experienced by everyone throughout the course of a lifetime. Usually, non clinical depression is linked to some kind of stressor in the environment which can be clearly identified, for example, the termination of a job. It is only when these depressive episodes go further than certain boundaries of intensity, duration and frequency can the disorder can be labelled clinical depression. Depressive symptoms, e.g. sadness, disturbed sleep and fatigue can also be symptoms of other medical conditions (for example stroke) however, in this situation depression may not require a separate diagnosis. Clinical depression is a very prevalent problem in today's society; 15% of people will have an episode of major depression in their lives and it is said to be the fourth most common cause of disability worldwide (NHS Website 2004). One of the earliest treatments for depression was psychotherapy, but Dishman (1986) notes than in severe cases medication will almost certainly be required. In the past 10 years or so, 'exercise on prescription' schemes have become popular in primary health care, many of which include depression in the referral criteria. (Biddle and Fox 1991) Strict diagnostic
