Music therapy is the evidence-based use of music for a therapeutic purpose. It can help promote relaxation, reduce depression and anxiety, and even help with pain management. It’s just one of several creative arts therapies (art, dance, drama, and music) that offer unique and distinct opportunities for the self-expression of each person’s individual feelings, emotions, physical abilities, and self-identity, as well as one’s relationships with others and the world in which they live.

Along with the benefits of music, being physically active is another important step that you can take to improve your health. Some physical activity is better than none, and any amount of physical activity can improve health-related fitness.

Music and movement can both be great ways to help relieve stress during tough times, but it’s also a fun combination together! Sing and move along with Music Therapist Matt Lloyd, MT-BC, as he combines both music and movement for this 17-minute and 30-second virtual Music and Movement Group from the VA Central Iowa Health Care System.

More information

For more information on Recreation Therapy in VA visit: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/rectherapy/index.asp

For more information and self-care through the Whole Health Components of Health and Well-Being visit: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/circle-of-health/moving-body.asp

Alison M. Whitehead, MPH is the Acting Director for the Integrative Health Coordinating Center in the VHA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation.   

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5 Comments

  1. Jeffrey Bishop April 27, 2020 at 08:33

    Thank you for doing this video ! This ties into a wellness group that I have attended at my local VA clinic . I recommended this to other veterans !

  2. Oscar G. Rosales April 15, 2020 at 10:17

    Nice and helpful video. Listening to my era music while exercising was good for the body and soul. Thank you from this Vietnam Vet.

  3. Dianne Kelly April 14, 2020 at 15:02

    Thank you so much for the video. The exercises were just what I needed to stay in shape for my age. I really felt better after.

  4. Dave April 11, 2020 at 18:52

    thanks for sharing
    keep it up

  5. Yoojeong Kim Eddy April 11, 2020 at 16:57

    This is so awesome!! I love it. At first, I thought, it is too easy…then, as I was following the instruction, I realized it was not that easy.
    Thank you for putting this together.

    Yoojeong Eddy
    Female Veteran

Comments are closed.

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