Music Therapy and Rehabilitation Services

Music Therapy can be utilized with Rehabilitation Services (i.e., Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy) as either a co-treatment service or an adjunct treatment.  As a co-treatment service, Music Therapy works with the Rehabilitation Service to determine a treatment plan, goals, and objectives and work together on an equal plane throughout treatment.  When Music Therapy serves as an adjunct treatment, the Rehabilitation Service determines the treatment plan, goals, and objectives while the Music Therapist provides appropriate music interventions to assist the patient throughout treatment.  The Music Therapist and Rehabilitation Therapist still work closely together, but the Rehabilitation Therapist takes the lead in the course of treatment.  Therapy can be provided in either individual or group settings.

Treatment Examples (other treatment types may apply):

Physical Therapy - The structures inherent in music are ideal in assisting physical rehabilitation:

•  Meter (i.e., 4/4 - march, 3/4 - waltz), pulse and rhythm reinforces gait rehabilitation

•  Tempo changes encourage and reinforce exercise rates

•  Dynamic (volume) changes encourage and reinforce strength and effort

The music used in physical therapy sessions is initially matched to the effort of the patient, rather than the patient being required to match the structures provided in the music, therefore the music is live and presented by the Music Therapist.  The patient can also be presented instruments to encourage the extension of upper and/or lower extremities, increase muscle tone, increase muscle strength, or other physical goals.

Occupational Therapy - The use of instruments are ideal in assisting in fine motor rehabilitation and skill building:

•  Mallet and drum stick use encourages palmar grasp, wrist control and rotation, lateral rotation of the forearm, extension of the elbow and shoulder

•  Piano use encourages finger extension, individual digital control and strengthening, wrist control and rotation, and elbow extension

•  Guitar use encourages finger extension, pincer grasp, individual digital control and strengthening, wrist control, and shoulder control and strength.

Speech Therapy - The use of language with music is nearly inseparable, making Music Therapy and Speech Therapy highly complementary therapies.  Humans find it psychologically safer to begin pre-verbal vocalizations and speech sounds when accompanied by music.

•  Vocal improvisations matching the pitch and any vocal sounds produced by a client reinforce the vocalizations and encourage future vocalizations

•  Therapeutically composed songs can incorporate specific articulation sounds

•  Single-reed horns, harmonicas, and vocal improvisations incorporating long tones encourage proper breathing, increased lung capacity, and breath support

All treatment provided depend on the individual(s) being served.  For more information on service types provided by Blue Ridge Music Therapy, please visit the Services page.

The above treatment examples are based on the general areas frequently associated with the specific service (i.e., Physical Therapy - gross motor and muscle movement, Occupational Therapy - fine motor movement, Speech Therapy - speech, articulation, and breath support).  The therapists at Blue Ridge Music Therapy understand that these services encompass a great deal more than these areas, but for simplicity in educating others, the list was limited.  For more information on how Music Therapy can work with your practice, please contact Blue Ridge Music Therapy.

Other pages of interest:

Music Therapy and Homecare Services

Individuals with Physical Disabilities