Music therapy

For me, turning up the soundtrack to Rent and singing (questionably well) along can just wipe all my stress away. Finding relaxation through music is a wonderful thing, but it's not the same as true music therapy. So what is music therapy exactly? Music therapy involves a trained therapist who uses music as a medium to promote physical, psychological, and social well-being.

Music therapy can be used to help reduce stress for hospital patients -- reducing pain and improving mood. It has helped Alzheimer's patients remain calm and improve memory. It can help new parents calm infants and reduce anxiety in kids of all ages. Even the Cancer Treatment Center of America keeps a library of music and holds music therapy sessions to help its patients.