Spring Break
Music therapy
The power of soothing sounds can be used as treatment for people with disabilities
Ellen Gilmer
When Ball State University music education instructor Amy Hourigan first heard about music therapy, she was puzzled.
"I thought, 'Music therapy-what's that?'" she said. "I thought people were standing around singing kumbaya."
Hourigan quickly learned otherwise: Music therapy is an established, evidence-based healthcare profession that uses music interventions to address individual needs, according to the American Music Therapy Association. Music interventions vary from singing, playing instruments, writing music and dancing. The therapy is frequently used to treat people with developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities and acute and chronic pain.
Because her own two children have autism, Hourigan became interested-so interested, in fact, that she went back to school at Eastern Michigan University and became a board-certified music therapist.
Music therapy is an undergraduate program offered at only four schools in Indiana: University of Evansville, IUPUI, IPFW and St. Mary of the Woods College. It includes classes in music therapy, psychology, improvisation, special education and music, along with a six-month internship.
One of the most inspiring music therapy sessions Hourigan has witnessed happened during her internship, she said. Her colleague was playing guitar for a woman who was recovering from an operation. The monitor next to her hospital bed showed her vital statistics.
"He started playing guitar, and I just watched the numbers move," Hourigan said. "Her blood pressure dropped, oxygen saturation levels increased, and her heart rate slowed down."
Hourigan said this experience reaffirmed her conviction that music therapy can make significant changes in people's lives.
"It's amazing, and it's all because of music," she said. "It seems a little out there at first, but it amazes me everyday."
Hourigan has been in Muncie for two years with her husband, Ryan, who is a music professor at Ball State. She is the only practicing music therapist in the area and said the community has welcomed her help.
"I thought, 'Music therapy-what's that?'" she said. "I thought people were standing around singing kumbaya."
Hourigan quickly learned otherwise: Music therapy is an established, evidence-based healthcare profession that uses music interventions to address individual needs, according to the American Music Therapy Association. Music interventions vary from singing, playing instruments, writing music and dancing. The therapy is frequently used to treat people with developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities and acute and chronic pain.
Because her own two children have autism, Hourigan became interested-so interested, in fact, that she went back to school at Eastern Michigan University and became a board-certified music therapist.
Music therapy is an undergraduate program offered at only four schools in Indiana: University of Evansville, IUPUI, IPFW and St. Mary of the Woods College. It includes classes in music therapy, psychology, improvisation, special education and music, along with a six-month internship.
One of the most inspiring music therapy sessions Hourigan has witnessed happened during her internship, she said. Her colleague was playing guitar for a woman who was recovering from an operation. The monitor next to her hospital bed showed her vital statistics.
"He started playing guitar, and I just watched the numbers move," Hourigan said. "Her blood pressure dropped, oxygen saturation levels increased, and her heart rate slowed down."
Hourigan said this experience reaffirmed her conviction that music therapy can make significant changes in people's lives.
"It's amazing, and it's all because of music," she said. "It seems a little out there at first, but it amazes me everyday."
Hourigan has been in Muncie for two years with her husband, Ryan, who is a music professor at Ball State. She is the only practicing music therapist in the area and said the community has welcomed her help.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Darbas Laisvalaikiu
posted 10/02/08 @ 1:16 AM EST
Music therapy is very good idea. Thanks.
Reklama internete
posted 12/25/08 @ 7:42 PM EST
Sorry but when Music therapy is an established ? maybe you can post more information
Pazintys
posted 12/25/08 @ 7:45 PM EST
Yes please explain this question , and more information about Music therapy
Alcohol Rehab
posted 12/29/08 @ 8:57 AM EST
Music therapy is established and music has been also used with hypnosis techniques for long term memory improvement. You could say that music therapy holds an important place. (Continued…)
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