Released on: February 8, 2008, 12:49 pm

Press Release Author: Ontario Music Society

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: Expectant mothers are encouraged to start playing a musical
instrument in their final trimester

Press Release Body: (Toronto) Expecting Mothers Listen Up... Music Lessons can help
keep those post partum baby blues away! The Ontario Music Society encourages new
moms and pregnant women in their last trimester to play a musical instrument.

Today at a press conference in Toronto, Jonathan Rigby, the newly-elected Chairman
of the Ontario Music Society cited statistics of Health Canada that reflect post
partum depression affects nearly 40% of all new mothers to some degree. "This is
especially sad since the birth of a new family member comes so seldom that it should
be a joyous time for the entire family". But after reporting the bad news he brought
forward the good and announced medical study reports from the 2007 European Music
Therapy Congress held in Augsburg, Germany that show Music Lessons undertaken by
pregnant and new mothers are more than 90% effective in staving off those
post-partum baby blues. The results of the study can be found at
www.MusicTherapy2007.com

"Music instruction has long been used to combat other forms of depression, stress,
and dementia since the 1950s, and it's therapeutic value is nothing less than
amazing" said Rigby who went on to explain "It seems that when one is immersed in a
creative task in which such pleasant results are obtained, the personal
gratification is more than enough to calm and soothe one's soul. Art classes also
provide a similar effect." Rigby urges all obstetricians and family doctors to
encourage their pregnant patients to pursue preventative therapy in their last
trimester and to continue for at least one year after birth. "Unfortunately, not
many music schools and academies in Ontario offer Music Therapy programs and we will
be petitioning Ontario's Health Minister to offer subsidies to those that do." In
the GTA for example there are only three music schools that offer Music Therapy -
Judy's Music School in Mississauga, Elaine Ma in Thornhill, and Michelle Song in
Toronto. Judy's Music School offers morning and afternoon sessions M-F and the
others offer evening sessions M-F. Further information and comprehensive courses in
Music Therapy are available through Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada's
leading authority on music therapy.

"Most Music Therapy sessions range from $25 to $100 for private sessions of 30 to
60 minutes or group sessions which are generally about half the price, and should
be done at least once a week" advised Rigby who further suggested "But the
therapeutic effect is greatly enhanced if mothers practice at home at least 30
minutes a day. Although just listening to some classical or new age music on a
regular basis provides some temporarily relief, actually playing an instrument
seems to provide a permanent cheer to one's disposition" Effects of post-partum
depression, if left untreated ranges from mild apathy and indifference to severe
verbal or physical abuse and even violence in extreme cases. It appears a little
music can go a long way in our world. Cheers!




Web Site: http://www.AMC-Music.org

Contact Details: Ontario Music Society
117 Lakeshore Road East - Suite 339
Toronto, ON L5G-4T6

EM: OntarioMusicSociety@post.com