Music for the body and soul

The first American Association for Music Therapy (AMTA) was established in 1971. It took its current form as recently as 1998. Currently, AMTA has 5,000 therapists around the world, dealing with music therapy as a complete medical specialization. In Europe and the United States, music therapy has become an integral part of the health system at hospitals and clinics. I have personally witnessed how one and a half hours per day of music therapy (in two sessions) were able to substitute traditional prescriptions given to stroke and brain paralysis patients.

Music therapy and Syria

The Syrian organization for the disabled (AAMAL) recruited me to start music therapy sessions for autistic children in Damascus. It is known that the children who suffer from this disorder can hardly communicate with those around them; however, they are very sensitive when it comes to music. It supports communication and establishes eye contact for 90% of autistic children. It is also known that some autistic children have hystereotype movements that are difficult to reduce. Through music therapy, however, the brain’s electrodes and excessive charges that cause these movements are regulated and transformed from Beta to Alpha waves.

Music Therapy constitutes 20% of total treatment for autistic children, others being language or behavioral therapy, exchange communication systems using pictures, or selective nutritive programs. The treatment principle is to achieve behavioral objectives and establish eye contact with autistic children. Before starting music therapy, they will be evaluated to see their responsiveness to music, and what type they prefer for educational purposes.

As well as my work with the autistic, I have introduced music therapy sessions at the Cham clinic in Damascus.

Music therapy sessions differ from one case to another; for example, sessions treating depression and stress last for 45 minutes, divided into three stages; we begin by preparing the patient to receive treatment with some physical exercises associated with

music, followed by breathing control exercises, and then we start meditating with music chosen from the evaluation process. This therapy lasts for three to six months, with two sessions a week. We use several instruments, such as the piano, woodwind instruments, and a special device that produces certain rhythms that exert a positive influence on the brain, in addition to using the proper lightening and recording machines.

At present we use music to treat epilepsy, by reducing the number of annual tacks, as well as high blood pressure, breathing disorders, sleeping disorders including insomnia, depression, and schizophrenia. Music therapy develops social communication, especially for special needs patients with delayed growth and speech cases, stuttering, loss of vision, and hearing disabilities.

From the womb, children listen to music and the regular rhythms of the mother’s heartbeats, opening them up to any type of music after they’re born. Sound pollution, however, changes their taste and selectivity to music. Several studies have proven that music can affect intelligence scores (IQ) and children’s concentration at school as well as providing a means to realize educational objectives. Music could also play a significant role in mitigating school violence.

Music therapy has several types; rhythmic, meditative, and instrumental. Studies revealed that there are certain rhythms that illicit positive reactions from patients. As with all treatments, patients need to be evaluated beforehand to ascertain the correct rhythms to use in treatment. It is worth mentioning that there are direct connections between different parts of the body and different musical notes, as well as correct notes for each mood and case. There are both individual and group sessions.