Question

An essay about music in therapy, occupational hazards of musicianship, or about physiology psychology of performance. A lost of sources consulted during the research should be included. The paper should be 3 full pages and approximately 280 word per page, double-spaced, written in 12 font and must conform to MLA guidelines.

Answer 1

Music therapy is a therapeutic intervention used to promote physical and mental health by promoting wellness, reducing stress, alleviating pain, maintaining good communication with the help of a trained person. It mainly focuses on physical, psychological, social and behavioral goals. According to American Music Therapy Association; Music therapy is the clinical and evidence – based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by acredentialed professional who has an approved music therapy program. Our emotional responses to music are contained deep within subcortical structures – the amygdala, thalamus, and hippocampus. Music imprints itself deeper in the brain than any other human experience.

Benefits of music therapy: There are many benefits of music therapy .They are:

1. In Medical disorder like Coronary Heart Disease it improves heart rate, Respiratory rate and blood pressure. In dementia and Alzheimer's disease, it improves in communication and other such skills. It also helps people with communication disorders.
2. Improves pain management.
3. Enhances fetal development ,if mother listens to music in pregnancy it makes child more responsive after birth,and improve weight gain,reduce sleep disturbance in infants ,reduces heart rate etc.
4. In psychiatric disorders like reduces symptoms of depression, in schizophrenia improves the mental state , social functioning, and quality of life. Reduces stress and tension.
5. Slows the decline of cognitive skills.
6. Provides avenues for creative expression and it fosters happiness and pleasure.

Occupational hazards of musicianship:

There are many serious health issues that these occupational group faces. They are:

• Insomnia and sleep disorders
• Hyperacusis and Tinnitus: noise more than 85 decibels can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, bones in the middle ear or, in extreme cases, rupture the eardrum.
• Depression: Musicians, have to deal with the stress of the business of music, and the pressure to be creative on a deadline.
• Trigger Finger and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: One of the common injuries incurred is an inflammatory disorder of the tendon, often called trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis). Carpal tunnel syndrome, occurs often due to making the same hand motion over and over again puts pressure on the median nerve, causing tingling, numbness and weakness in the thumb and three fingers.
• Focal dystonia, it occurs when the brain sends incorrect information to the muscle, causing involuntary contractions. It can affect any profession that performs repeated hand movements, but it is most common among musicians.
• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis:It include pain and swelling in the front of your shoulder. It causes a lack of mobility and a pain so severe it can wake you from sleep.
• Neck and Back Pain
• Ssubstance abuse: Drug addiction is one of the problem seen in musicians as they become famous and celebrity, the peer pressure, parties, money and to get new ideas many of them turn to be drug addict especially seen in rock band singers.

Measures to overcome these occupational hazards:

1. Proper use of posture.

2. Adequate rest in between.

1. The next best possible treatment for musicians is exercise. If any further damage then should consult a doctor and take appropriate treatments.
2. The most common and available treatment for psychological issues such as performance anxiety is the use of prescription drugs such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines . Other interventions such as meditation and yoga, relaxation therapies, participating in exercise, being committed to lifestyle changes, music therapy and psychotherapy.