Music therapy
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is a therapeutic discipline that uses music and its elements—such as sound, rhythm, melody, and harmony—to promote positive changes in people’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and social health.
The term music therapy encompasses various forms of therapy, such as dance therapy, art therapy, psychodrama, and, of course, music therapy itself. Thayer Gaston, considered the father of music therapy, defined it as the use of music to “bring about changes in the people who listen to or perform it.” Juliette Alvin , meanwhile, describes it as the measured use of music in the treatment, rehabilitation, education, and instruction of adults and children with physical, mental, and emotional disorders.
Roland Omar Benenzon offers another important perspective, understanding music therapy as a communication technique that uses music and sounds to produce regressive phenomena and open channels of expression, thus facilitating the patient’s recovery and rehabilitation process.
Benefits
The well-known saying ‘music soothes the savage beast’ contains a great truth: music has therapeutic properties capable of restoring balance to the body. It can increase or decrease blood pressure, improve blood flow and help blood reach all organs more effectively.
Playing an instrument such as the piano is not only an exercise in mental agility, but also in psychomotor skills and emotional projection. In addition, music awakens hidden memories, activating the brain on both an organic and sensory level.
When we sing, there is a circulatory exchange of oxygen that travels throughout the body, benefiting the internal organs. The brain, as the organ that coordinates all bodily functions, is particularly stimulated by music, which has an impact on overall well-being.
It has been scientifically proven that music we enjoy increases the production of oxytocin and stimulates the generation of alpha brain waves, which are associated with states of physical and mental relaxation.
During childhood, continuous exposure to music particularly stimulates the sensory and motor regions of the brain, increasing the connection between neurons. In addition, learning to play a musical instrument has been directly linked to better performance in mathematics, as both activities are processed in the same areas of the brain.
Music Therapy in Residences
At Clave del Alma, we offer music therapy sessions in senior living homes, using music as a tool to stimulate memory, promote communication, and improve emotional well-being. Through singing, active listening, and rhythmic participation, we create spaces where residents can express themselves, connect with meaningful memories, and enjoy moments of joy and calm that enrich their quality of life.
Music therapy consultation for individuals and associations
Key to the Soul – Music Therapy in Hospital Settings
Clave del Alma uses music as a bridge to well-being.
It is a personalized, non-invasive intervention that supports patients and families in hospitals.
Hospital areas:
Oncology
- Close support during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- Reduction of anxiety and stress before, during, and after each medical session.
- Improved mood and continued emotional support.
- Decreased feeling of fatigue.
Pediatrics and Neonatology
- Sensory and emotional stimulation adapted to each stage.
- Calms crying and improves sleep quality.
- Strengthening the emotional bond between the baby and the family.
Palliative Care
- Relief from physical and emotional suffering.
- Feeling of peace and comfort in the patient.
Sound space that encourages closure and farewell.
Neurological Rehabilitation
- Stimulation of speech, memory and attention through music and rhythm.
- Improved motor coordination and mobility.
- Promoting functional recovery in a motivating way.
Mental Health
- Safe channel for emotional expression.
- Decreased anxiety and depression.
- Boosting self-esteem and a sense of social connection.
Pain Units
- Support in reducing pain perception.
- Deep relaxation and release of tension.
- Possible reduction in the need for pain relief medication.
- Possible reduction in the need for analgesic medication.