| Written by Amy Storer-Scalia, on 15-04-2007 18:27 |
Singing Praises of Music's Health Benefits
Research proves that music is beneficial to people of all ages, as it assists with thinking, reasoning, creativity and expression of self. A local music therapy expert explains how the sound of music can help your health in particular.
You know you do it. After a bad day at work, you crank up the volume to your favorite
song, and sing to it at the top of your lungs. You don't even mind that the cute guy in the car next to you is looking at you like you have four heads. It just feels that good.
As a woman, Mimi Sinclair understands that feeling from a personal
standpoint; as a board certified music therapist, she understands
that feeling from a medical standpoint.
Sinclair, the owner and director of Music Therapy Services in Milford,
uses music therapy to treat children and adults with developmental
disabilities, mental health issues, physical disabilities, Alzheimers
disease and many other conditions.
Music therapy research has demonstrated music's ability to improve
immune function, assist with pain relief, promote speech development,
facilitate relaxation, reduce anxiety, rehabilitate motor function,
increase attention to task, among many others, says Sinclair.
But you don't have to be unwell to benefit from music. According to the
American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), healthy individuals can use
music for stress reduction via active music making, such as drumming,
as well as passive listening for relaxation. "Music is often a vital
support for physical exercise," according to the AMTA's Web site.
"Music therapy assisted labor and delivery may also be included in this
category since pregnancy is regarded as a normal part of women's life
cycles."
Well or unwell, Sinclair says anyone can contact us at Music Therapy
Services for a consultation to see how music therapy can make a
difference in their health and well-being.
"Music therapists are employed throughout the country in hospitals,
schools, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, correctional
facilities, as well as private practices such as mine to serve the
growing population of people looking for non-invasive and
non-threatening interventions," she says.
But if you just want to learn how to incorporate music into your
healthy lifestyle without a healthcare professionals intervention,
Sinclair says there are many ways for women to informally take
advantage of music's therapeutic effects. "I always encourage people to
engage in music experiences in a way that is meaningful for them," she
says. "Joining a community chorus, orchestra or band can provide an
outlet for expression, keep the mind and body challenged and promote
emotional health. It's never too late to learn to play an instrument if
you want."
Another helpful piece of advice she imparts is to take advantage of the
relaxing effect of listening to music to induce sleep, as so many busy
women today experience sleep disorders. Also, listening to relaxing
music can help with anxiety-producing events like visiting the dentist
or other medical procedures. Many dentists and physicians provide CD
players, or take your own. In fact, some MRI facilities have
non-magnetic DVDs or CDs for you to enjoy during the imaging procedure.
There's a plethora of research available online about the health
benefits of music, and according to Sinclair, we'll be seeing much more
in the future. "There's is a great deal of exciting research being done
to compliment the more than 50 years of research studies already
published by the AMTA, among other organizations," she says.
For more information about services in Cincinnati, visit Music Therapy
Services' Web site at www.mts-cincinnati.com, or go to the AMTA's Web
site at www.musictherapy.org.
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