Why NMT

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Music is shown to access all areas of the brain. When utilized therapeutically music can help create neuroplasticity meaning it allows for individuals to reacquire skills that may have been lost by rewiring certain connections in the brain that have been damaged. The rewiring of connections occurs because the motor memory required to engage in a music intervention within a fixed rhythm or pattern creates a "knowledge of result" feedback loop that facilities the efficient re-learning of functional activities of daily living. 

You can certainly listen to your favorite music at any time on an iPod! We all know how enjoyable music is! A neurologic music therapist with training in designing music interventions to fit a client's needs is necessary to help that individual reach their goals. Interventions are carefully thought through based on the area of need desiring to be met. The therapist is engaged in the music making process with their clients often by utilizing an accompanying instrument such as piano, guitar or autoharp. The beauty of having live music in the therapy process is that the music can be altered on the spot by the therapist to quickly adapt and adjust to the needs of the client. The neurologic music therapist cues the desired movement pattern, speech pattern, or cognitive task utilizing the elements of music such as rhythmic, harmony, melody, or dynamics. 

When using music as therapy, goals are easily disguised and clients may not even realize the hard work they are putting in, making therapy accessible and satisfying to engage in! Overall, we are naturally rhythmic and musical beings; therefore, using music in the rehabilitation process makes sense!