A few words from Anne & Gary:

Dear Friends:

We spent a quarter of a century assisting people with their lives through our counseling practice (specializing in stress related difficulties).  Therefore it was a natural progression for us to seek certification as Music Practitioners through the Music for Healing and Transition program. 

Because of our belief in the value of  live music at the bedside for healing and transition, we have included this article to introduce you to this important Integrative Medicine treatment.  

Music practitioners were some of the first and most powerful healers in the medical arts of our primitive societies.  Now, as we move into the 21st century, the value of this old integrative medical treatment is again being recognized and developed in a scientific manner through the Music for Healing and Transition program.  

Today, many hospitals and health facilities across the country recognize the value of the music practitioner and offer this meaningful treatment of live music at the bedside to their patients.

Recent scientific studies support the premise that live music provided by the music practitioner can assist in:

• Pain reduction and management.
• Blood pressure reduction.
• Reduction of patient anxiety.
• Reduction of pharmacological drug dosages required for pain, anesthesia, and other medical objectives. 
• Relaxation of voluntary and involuntary muscles.
• Stabilization of vital signs in emergency, surgery and other acute medical situations.
• Memory recall for dementia patients.
• Facilitation of the birthing process.
• Transition for the dying patient.

The music practitioner specializes in his/her capacity to note the progression of the patient and to musically pace the patient's needs and changes.  He/she notes: 

• Vital signs (breathing, monitoring equipment, etc.)
• Body language.
• Verbal feedback from patient and/or family.
• Input from other medical specialties.

This allows the music practitioner to continuously gear his/her musical treatment to the changing needs of the patient.    

Our services as Certified Music Practitioners are available by contacting us:

Anne Wakenhut, MA
Gary Wakenhut, MA
consort@pathwaynet.com
Toll Free: 888-227-8679
Box 272 
Lakeview, MI 48850

If we are not  in your area, you can find a listing of our fellow MHTP graduates at:

http://www.mhtp.org.  

This will provide you with a list of Certified Music Practitioners.

If none are listed for your area, contact your local hospital or hospice organization.  They may be aware of musicians in your community who offer this type of service (even though they may not have been trained or certified by MHTP).  

The MHTP training program consists of 5 weekend modules (offered at various locations around the country), a mentorship, and an internship .  Most musicians complete certification requirements within a year.  For certification requirements, curriculum, class locations and schedules, go to:

 http://www.mhtp.org

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