Alternative Medicine

Music Therapy For Mind and Body

Used to overcome emotional, physical, social, and cognitive problems, music therapy helps to manage stress, express feelings, reduce pain, improve memory, and promote wellness, communication, and rehabilitation from physical disorders. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) has research that supports the positive effects of music therapy.

First, a music therapist assesses the patient's emotional and physical state. Also measuring social functioning, cognitive skills, and communication ability, the therapist designs and individual music treatment or includes the client in a group therapy session. Techniques involved in music therapy range from just listening to music, to writing songs, discussing lyrics, performing music, and learning through music.

Children and adults can benefit from music therapy, which treats developmental disorders and learning disabilities. Alzheimer's and other age-related disorders can benefit by regaining memory function. Music therapy is also used to help drug addicts and the brain injured cope with rehabilitation. Chronic or acute pain, including childbirth, can be alleviated through music therapy.

Often, music is used in hospitals to lift the moods of patients and encourage their movement during physical therapy. It can also help relax patients by reducing muscle tension in those who need to be sedated or who need to rest.

Using music in schools has been successful in special education plans to improve communication and physical coordination that will lead to success in regular education classes.

Rooted in ancient tradition, music therapy began gaining attention after World War I and II, when musicians would play for veterans who were physically and emotionally traumatized by the wars. As the patients showed improvement, doctors and nurses started asking for musicians to be hired regularly. Eventually, musicians working in the hospitals needed special training leading to Michigan State University developing a music therapy degree program in 1944. Later, in 1988, the AMTA was founded.

Some insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, have realized the effectiveness and pay for music therapy as long as a doctor prescribes it and improvement is seen.

Patients need not have musical talent to benefit from music therapy, and a wide variety of music genres are used. Client preferences, the particular condition, and the end goal determine which type of music is appropriate.

If you are already emotionally and physically healthy, music can reduce stress from everyday situations. It can facilitate relaxation or motivate physical exercise by helping you work out longer and harder. This proven treatment can help one and all.

Common Herbs And Some Specific Uses

Antispasmodic Tincture:

1 ounce Lobelia Seed, 1 ounce Skullcap, 1 ounce Skunk Cabbage Root, 1 ounce Black Cohosh, ½ ounce Cayenne.

Ad above to one pint of boiling water for ½ hour. Add 1 pint of Apple Cider Vinegar and bottle for use. Dose: 8 to 15 drops in cup of hot water every hour. For shock, cramps, epilepsy, hysteria, lock jaw, poisonous bites and stings.

Homemade Toothpaste:

1 pinch powdered Sage
1 ounce powdered Myrrh
1 pound powdered Arrow Root
20 drops Oil of Clover
12 drops Oil of Bergamot
½ ounce powdered chalk
3 ounces powdered Oris Root
4 teaspoons tincture of Vanilla
15 drops Oil of Rose Geranium

Add honey to get desired consistency.

Nerve Tonic:

1 part Black Cohos Root
1 part Cayenne
1 part Hops
1 part Lady’s Slipper Root

Powder and mix. Place in gelatin capsules. Take two capsules three times a day.

alternative medicine

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