Music therapy

Music therapy Music and Medicine Music is heard in many places we go. We hear it while watching television at home. We often turn in on in the car. We hear it while shopping, riding elevators, sitting in waiting rooms, and in many areas as we go about daily life. It has the ability to incite great passion, make people angry, or break a heart and bring one to tears. William Congreve, a playwright and poet, wrote the Mourning Bride. In Act I, Scene I he said, Music has charms to soothe a savage beast. If one believes that to be true, it is easy to conclude that music is intentionally used to control mood in various venues in our life. For purposes of this paper, we will explore how music is used in the healthcare setting. We will, based on research, determine if music has an effect on patients and the healing process. The writings of Plato and Aristotle were some of the early indicators that suggested music could improve health. For those of us who believe the Bible, we know that theory was in practice long before these writers. The Bible says in I Samuel 16:23, Whenever the Spirit of God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul, he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. From the beginning, music has been used to soothe the soul. Modern music therapy formally began in the twentieth century after World War II. Musicians would travel to hospitals across the United States to visit veterans who were suffering from shell shock. It only makes sense that the healthcare field would catch up and deliberately incorporate music into the healing process. Medicine relies on evidence-based practice. This means that there should be significant research to support putting that practice into place. There have been multiple studies to support using music therapy as part of a holistic approach to healing. Music therapy is defined as, the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Currently, there are college curriculums dedicated to training music therapists, and the American Association of Music Therapists is in existence. Therapists are trained to assess and identify patients needs based on physical, social, and emotional factors, as well as, their cognitive abilities. While one knows that music is used by many people, it is documented that patients have improved outcomes when a trained, professional music therapist is in control of this portion. This is based on their ability to determine what is in the patients best interest due to their assessment findings. There is no beginning or ending age where music is a benefit. Expectant mothers often play music to their unborn babies. It is said to release endorphins in the mothers bloodstream causing her to have happy feelings. These feelings are transferred to the baby. Music is also often played in a hospice setting where people are dying. It is thought to foster peaceful feelings with the patient and family during this difficult process. Obviously, most people have preferences as to what kind of music they like. Some studies suggest, based on MRI findings, that although we may differ in our preferences, our brains receive different kinds of music in much the same way. A couple of particular areas of the brain were looked at under MRI while participates listened to music that they had never had before. Those areas suggested that although the auditory experience may have been pleasing to some and not others, the brain highlighted increased activity in the same regions. So, even listening to something one does not particularly like, does not necessarily mean it will facilitate negative feelings. Which leads us to health benefits of music. Dr. Daniel Levitin, a psychologist who studies neuroscience of music at McGill University, performed several studies to determine the chemical reaction of listening to music. In one particular study, he was looking to see if patients who were waiting on surgery and listening to music were less anxious than those who were not, and which group required anti-anxiety medications. He found that music listeners were less anxious, required less medication, and had decreased levels of cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone. Music listeners also had higher levels of immunoglobin A, which is an antibody related to immunity and having higher counts of cells that fight bacteria. The American Cancer Society also utilizes music therapy in treating oncology patients. They have additionally done research on its benefit. They found that, along with traditional treatment, music could help relieve pain, as well as, reduce nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy drugs. It also reduced depression, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. All of this seems incredibly important when one is in a fight for his life against cancer. One of the most promising areas of music therapy is seen in children. According to the American Psychological Association, from pre-term babies to older children, the studies have been promising as to the effects of music on healing. Babies in an intensive care unit are surrounded by intense and intimidating equipment. It can assault their senses twenty four hours at a time. Playing music to drown out the constant noise of that equipment has been shown to improve their sleep and eating patterns, and it can decrease the stress level of the parents there with the children. As with adults, children fight various illnesses. However, adults, most often, cope with difficult procedures better than children. The sheer idea of having a procedure will overwhelm a child more violently. They often react even before the procedure is started. One particular music therapist, at Boston Hospital, began working with a child who had to go for an x-ray and was extremely anxious. He followed the child th roughout the process, constantly engaging her with instruments and music, and only stopped after the procedure was over. She never realized her x-ray was done, because she was so engaged in the activities. Autistic people have a difficult time engaging others, expressing their feelings, and some have problems with language development. Studies have shown music can cause improvements in these areas. Autistic children often are found to have incredible abilities related to music, and it helps reinforce positive behaviors. Our brain often associates memories with music. That is an important fact in treating Alzheimers and dementia patients with music therapy. It has been shown to improve thought processes, memory and emotions. Another promising area of treating with music is in Parkinsons patients. It is not necessarily the sound of the music, but the vibrations from the music. The American Psychological Association has seen improvement of symptoms in these patients. It seems low frequency vibrations improve gait, reduce tremors, and make them less rigid. Hospitals and doctors offices play music in hallways, waiting rooms, and in most procedure rooms. It has a calming effect on patients, visitors, and staff alike. It reduces stress and anxiety, and makes an unpleasant situation, bearable. And the list goes on and on. While there will always be some who do not see the benefit, there is countless research supporting the use of music to improve healing. There continues to be research done on this subject daily. While conventional medicine makes leaps and bounds in countless areas, we should not discount holistic treatments. What was good enough for Saul in the Old Testament, is still good enough today. References Berkeley Wellness. Music as Medicine. Berkeley University of California. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. Landau, Elizabeth. This is Your Brain on Music. CNN. Web. 15 April 2013. Landau, Elizabeth. When Patients have Music Emergencies. CNN. Web. 23 August 2013. Novofney, Amy. Music as medicine. American Psychological Association. Web. Nov. 2013. n.p. I Samuel 16:23. Bible Hub. Web. n.d. n.p. 4 Ways to Use Music as Medicine. Aging Care. Web. 21 March 2013. n.p. How to Play Music for Your Baby while Pregnant. Smarter Baby. Web. 16 Dec 2008. n.p. Music Therapy. American Cancer Society. Web. n.d. n.p. William Congreve. Answers. Web. n.d. Ridenour, Annette and Sadler, Blair. Improving Healing Through Art and Music. Healthcare Design. Web. 31 October 2007.

DAWN Social Justice Group :: essays research papers

DAWN The social justice group DAWN (disabled woman’s network Ontario) is a province wide organization of woman with all types of disabilities. They are a feminist organization which supports woman in their struggle to control their own lives. Dawn Ontario is controlled by women with disabilities. The members include woman with disabilities and non-disabled woman. Also included are lesbians, bisexual woman, aboriginal woman, Franco-Ontarian woman, and woman from many other ethnic, racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Woman of all ages, from teens to seniors, are active members of DAWN. They believe that disabled woman have the right to direct their own lives. They also believe that woman with disabilities: have the right to access the services and supports available to all woman; have needs which are different from those of men with disabilities; know best what their needs are; have a right to freedom of choice in all aspects of their live; and can be proud of their dis abilities and have the choice to self-identity. As a group DAWN at Ontario: keep current on issues facing women with disabilities; provide role mode for girls with disabilities; develop resources for girls with disabilities; help start and support DAWN groups across Ontario; speak for the rights of woman with disabilities to make sure they can take part in woman’s groups, activities, events and services; work with other woman’s and disabilities groups; produce resources about health care for woman with disabilities; lobby for the government on issues affecting woman with disabilities. Issues such as employment, training, education, transportation, housing, health care, and others. On June 17, 1985 17 woman with disabilities from across Canada gathered together to discuss issues of concern. From this meeting, DAWN of Canada was formed. Disabled woman organized across the country, keeping in touch by mail and phone, and finally they received funding from the secretary of state for some special projects. Disabled woman have been persevering since then to build up DAWN on a local and national level. In 1992 DAWN Ontario was formed. Since then they have put out many brochures and the like for information throughout Ontario. They also have worked with other groups such as Employment Equity Coalition; the Coalition Against Depo Provera; and the Coalition Against Extra Billing in Ontario. DAWN is a great

What aspects of this passage are of interest, considering the novel as a whole?

In this passage, a number of key themes are introduced into the novel. Waugh highlights Guy's dislocation in society and his feelings of loneliness and exclusion. Waugh also satirises the upper class of society greatly throughout the novel and particularly in this passage. Other themes presented in the passage which are important to the novel as a whole are themes of selfishness and justice. In the passage, Waugh portrays as lonely and excluded from society at the time. From the statement, ‘There was always someone going Guy's way towards his hotel, always a friendly arm. But his heart was lonely. , we can see that Guy is unable to find a female companion which adds to his loneliness and gives his life less purpose. Furthermore, he seeks comfort from the old soldiers but ‘Guy found no sympathy among these old soldiers for his own hot indignation'. Guy seems to be insulted by the fact he is not able to lead the life of a typical soldier and feel a sense of inclusion. Later in the novel, Guy psychologically excludes himself from the rest of his regiment by saying ‘It looks as though I am going to be an extra mouth', implying that he is not useful to society at the time, giving his life little purpose. By describing Guy's situation, Waugh is questioning whether society fulfils its purpose of making people feel included and useful. Guy's age acts as a barrier between him and the younger soldiers who call him ‘Uncle', emphasised when ‘He was excused from parades and Physical Training' because of his injury. Before the passage, Waugh explains that ‘Guy alone was a stranger among them'. Waugh's use of emotive language such as ‘Guy alone' and the word ‘stranger' help create an image of loneliness, as Guy is different from the rest of the men. Guy's inability to live a life of fulfilment and feel a sense of inclusion plays a part in Waugh's satirising of the upper class. Waugh suggests that the exclusivity of the upper class prevents Guy living a life of fulfilment. Guy wants to become a part of the war effort in order to make himself useful but finds himself being excluded. This is supported by Lord Kilbannock who remarks that ‘It's a very exclusive war at present. Once you're in, there's every opportunity. Waugh is able to satirise the upper class by ridiculing the principles, actions and traditions of the Halberdiers. Waugh often patronises the Halberdiers with Guy thinking ‘†¦ it seemed impossible that anything conducted by the Halberdiers could fall short of excellence'. However, this statement is ironic as, in the same chapter, Guy and half a dozen of the Halberdiers receive the wrong order, culminating in them missing the train to their new destination, Kut-al-Imara House. This shows that the Halberdiers give the appearance of a well organised force, but in reality, they are not an efficient fighting force. Waugh also satirises the upper class through the use of double-barreled names. In the passage, the name ‘Box-Bender' is mentioned. Throughout the novel, Waugh uses double-barrelled names for numerous characters, such as ‘Ritchie-Hook, Sarum-Smith' and a triple-barrelled name for ‘Grace-Groundling-Marchpole'. In their endeavour to remain exclusive, they have embellished their names to the extent of comical pomposity. However, the name ‘Crouchback' serves only to exclude Guy yet further, giving a pathetic image of a poor, old man bent over with a sore back. The exclusiveness of the upper class is translated into the theme of selfishness by many characters throughout the novel. Firstly, many young soldiers had their lives ruined by generals such as Ritchie-Hook who were prepared to carelessly ‘spend them'. In the passage, Waugh argues that ‘Most of them had gone straight from school to the trenches and spent the rest of their lives forgetting the mice and lice and noise. ‘ The repetition of the word ‘and' in this sentence emphasises the negative aspects of war. Secondly, in this novel as a whole, Virginia represents the selfishness of the upper class. She is prepared to use men for their money and leave them if they lose their money. For example, when talking to Guy outside the passage, Virginia reminisces ‘It was the year everyone went broke†¦ That was another of the troubles with Tommy' and ‘Money gone, Me gone, all in one go'. Both these comments show that Virginia left her husbands when they had no money, illustrating her lack of principles and selfishness. Waugh extends the theme of selfishness in the novel to society in general, when the hotel owners raise their prices such as at the Marine Hotel. Managements and servants had settled down to the simple policy of doing less than they had done before, for rather more money. ‘ They are exploiting their fellow countrymen as they know that comfortable accommodation is at a premium. The moral issues involving Apthorpe's selfish and ruthless attitude to promotion relate to the theme of justice in the novel. During the passage, justice is considered briefly by the old soldiers. Box-Bender's view is that ‘You'd have a general strike and the whole country in collapse if you set up to be just'. This reinforces the moral issue that a selfish, immoral man finds it easier to progress in our society, illustrated by men in authority such as the Brigade Major and Ritchie-Hook. Guy takes the Brigade Major's advice and takes a bottle of whisky to Apthorpe in hospital as an act of kindness, but this results in the death of Apthorpe for which he is forced to take full responsibility. Neither the Brigade Major nor Ritchie-Hook give him any support. This event shows that army life encourages a ruthless, selfish attitude as a lack of justice within the army ranks will ensure this type of character succeeds.

Nightfall Brings Panic - 584 Words

It seems that when night falls, the mind appears to go into a state of panic. Nighttime brings to mind many horror movies scenario. Well they do when you’re in the middle of nowhere, with a couple of friends and a machete. At least in my mind that’s what happened. A state of pure terror seems to sink in, and I believe the worst scenario that a random stranger is coming inside my tent and slaughtering me while I’m asleep. To begin with, when the day started, it seemed that the scenery was beautiful and peaceful. It appeared that the same place can have a different perspective at the drop of the sun. I had never gone camping; it always seemed like a fun thing to do with the right people. My friends wanted to celebrate my seniority and almost graduating, since they were in college themselves, and knew how important senior year of high school was. We were thinking of going on a road trip somewhere far from Fresno. We joked for a bit about going camping, and then it j ust seemed to happen. The whole ride there we all seemed happy with chatter, catching up on our gossip. In total we were three girls and two guys. Once we arrived I could smell the deep aura of pine and green woods. The trees were basked in sun, giving of a cool shade; the branches of the trees seemed to follow the movements of the silent breeze that passed. Birds seem to fly by slowly almost lazily, there chirping heard from a distant as they passed. As soon as that tent was up I went on a walk to go exploring.Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1028 Words   |  5 Pagesthe father of the dead girl carries her lifeless body though the streets for all to see. The shock crowd stops its celebration, stunned and outraged over the death of Maria, and they demand justice from The Burgomaster (mayor) and local police. By nightfall, the angry mob has organized into torch carrying search parties to find the murderer. 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