Music therapy is the clinical use of music to achieve individualized goals such as healing, pain relief, and relaxation under the guidance of a certified, professional music therapist. Trained to assess the emotional and physical health of the individual patient through response to music, a music therapist designs music sessions which include music improvisation, music listening, song writing, lyric discussions, music and imagery, and music performance.

Music therapy, which sounds very new age, is anything but a new therapeutic concept. According to the American Music Therapy Association, the notion that music could affect healing has been around since the writings of Aristotle and Plato. In more modern times, amateur and professional musicians used to entertain patients in the Veterans Administration hospitals following both World War I and World War II. The response of patients, both physically and emotionally, led to the hiring of musicians by hospitals. In 1944, born of the need for music therapists, the first college curriculum for a music degree was started at Michigan State University. Music therapists must complete the college curriculum, intern, and pass the national examination from the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

Music Therapy Misconceptions

There are several misconceptions about music therapy. Contrary to what some people think, patients do not have to have musical ability to benefit from music therapy; any style of music, not just soft music (for example, dentist-office music, elevator music), can be used for music therapy, and not only people with health problems benefit from music therapy. Healthy individuals use it to relieve stress and exercise.

Is Music Therapy Covered by Insurance?

According to the American Music Therapy Association, Medicare will cover music therapy if a doctor prescribes the therapy for a patient, if it is considered necessary for the treatment plan, is based on a documented treatment plan, and providing the patient shows some level of improvement.

Medicaid coverage varies by state. The only way to know for sure is to check with your state's Medicaid office. Similarly, if you have private insurance, you must check with your specific insurer. Some insurers cover music therapy on a case-by-case basis, after assessing the medical necessity. It has been estimated that approximately 20 percent of music therapists receive third-party reimbursement.

Does Music Therapy Work?

Results from a small study involving sixty patients who had continuous pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or disc problems showed that music therapy eased the perception of chronic pain. Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic divided study participants into two groups: One group listened to music for one hour a day (half chose their own music while the other half chose from five selections) and the second group did not listen to music. There was a significant reduction in pain and in depression associated with pain for the group who listened to music, whether it was their selection or selected from the limited list.