After World Wars I and II, community musicians volunteered to play at veterans' hospitals across the nation. Traumatized vets responded well, and hospitals began hiring musicians. When Michigan State University created the first degree program for hospital musicians in 1944, music therapy became a recognized healthcare profession.

A Varied Field

Today music therapists work in a wide variety of settings that include schools, hospitals, group homes, long-term care facilities and hospice. Their patients range from infants to elders with conditions as diverse as developmental and learning disabilities, physical disabilities, acute or chronic pain, brain injuries, mental health needs, dementia and substance abuse problems.

Therapists use clinical and evidence-based music interventions within a therapeutic relationship. "Therapy is individualized. For one patient, the goal may be pain management. For another, it may be speech stimulation," says Dawn McDougal Miller, board certified music therapist in the oncology and hospice programs at Park Nicollet Health Services.

Tapping Into Health

For a young man on chemotherapy, Miller used heavy metal music to help ward off panic attacks: "He wore headphones in the chemo room. When his anxiety spiked, he turned up the music. When he felt calmer, he turned it down."

Miller helps people in hospice write songs that express their love for friends or family members. She calms the ragged breathing of dying patients with softly played hymns or classical music. For patients with dementia, she plays old favorites like "Sentimental Journey" on keyboard and encourages them to sing along.

"Music taps into the healthy part of the person. It accesses pain and tears, joy and gratitude," Miller says.

The Perfect Combination

Miller first considered a career in physical therapy. Then one summer, she served as music director in a camp for developmentally delayed adults and children. "They came alive during music sessions. They smiled and began connecting with people." The camp director suggested she consider music therapy.

"It's the perfect job," she says. "It allows me to combine my love of music and my enjoyment of working with people. It's such an honor to be with people as they express the deep emotions elicited by music that touches their spirit."

Nancy Giguere is a freelance writer from St. Paul who has written about healthcare since 1995.