(FCR Photo)
Did you know that formal music therapy was defined and first used by the United States War Department in 1945?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Music therapy is an evidence-based treatment that helps with a variety of disorders including cardiac conditions, depression, autism, substance abuse, and Alzheimer’s disease.”
The listed benefits are impressive, including lowering blood pressure, improving memory, enhancing communication and social skills, reducing muscle tension, developing healthy coping skills to manage your thoughts and emotions, increasing motivation and joy, and managing pain.
The therapy, however, has been around much longer.
“And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him” I Samuel 16:23 (KJV).
Earlier this year, researchers at Michigan State University discovered that anti-nausea medicine is more effective when chemotherapy patients pair treatment with listening to their favorite music.
Though there’s always a time for quiet reflection and meditation, sometimes an old hymn, classic rock anthem, or even an old Merle Haggard hit might provide a path to answered prayer.
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