Music Therapy Meets Physical Therapy

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Music Appreciation November 15, 2012 Music Therapy Meets Physical Therapy Physical Therapy is defined as the treatment of injuries and physical conditions by a trained person under the supervision of a specialist in physical medicine. Nowhere in that definition does is say anything about using music in the process. I think physical therapy and occupational therapy incorporate music into their practices in various ways. Music could be used as a mood effecting agent, used in rehabilitation of some movement hindering diseases, and a distraction tool. Studies have shown that plying different kinds of music has an effect on a person’s mood. This is one of the methods of music therapy. Music therapy is when the therapist uses music to help the patient with all aspects of the mind including physical, emotional, mental, and social. I believe that this could be implemented into the practice of physical therapy. Physical therapist seem to have to deal with a lot of people that are not that motivated to get better because they are either old, overweight, or depressed about their situation. Although this is true, peoples’ mood and motivation can be changed and increased through music. Why do you think music writers write how they write? They write to have an effect on people. For instance, if someone who had just torn their ACL and was told that they would never play basketball again came into the physical therapist’s office; they would not have a reason to be motivated. This is where music could change their mood from depressed to happy. An upbeat song may give them a burst of energy that would allow them to push through the rigorous therapy. This also may ultimately get them so motivated that they want to prove the doctor wrong about not playing the sport that they love again. Motivation is a key factor in the job of the physical therapist. If his or

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