Using music for medical purposes

Music Therapy
Medical Music Therapy refers to the use of music therapy strategies in the treatment of illness and the maintenance of health. Music therapists help patients in acute care, surgery, rehabilitation, and recovery — and often work in the areas of oncology (cancer treatment), physiatry (especially traumatic brain injury and stroke rehab), neonatology (premature infants), and pain management. Music therapists can also be a part of hospice care, providing service to patients and their families.
Right Reasons To Use Music in Medical Settings
to positively affect biomedical or psychosocial states (music can work as an audio-analgesic, sedative, stimulant, or neural “trigger” for movement).  Example: a patient with chronic pain is taught to use music to (a) decrease the physiological results of stress, (b) distract attention from pain, and/or (c) alter the perception of time towards a decreased perception of pain. OR pediatric patients participate in a music therapy group which boosts their immune systems’ effectiveness.
to serve as a focus of attention while structuring exercise or other physical exertion.  Example: a woman uses music in labor and delivery that has been programmed according to her preferences and choice of birthing technique OR a patient uses music as a structure and motivation for physical therapy exercises

to initiate and enhance therapist/patient/family relationships. Example: a therapist develops a trusting relationship with an adolescent by sharing in his favorite music OR a teenage (or otherwise “at-risk”) mother is taught to nurture her child (before and after birth) through music.

to reinforce learning that is important for recovery & maintenance of health.  Example: a child is taught a self-care routine by a therapist who has embedded the steps in a song. OR a group of patients compose a song together that which reinforces the principles of health care they must learn.