Your Prescription: Music!

For my final project, I wrote about the powers of music to heal. Since this was handed in, I'd like to share parts of it with the class. In my opinion, I believe there's a part of us that realizes music has positive effects on our psyche but it's never outwardly acknowledged. I mean, how often have you had a tough day and all of sudden: BAM! Your favorite song comes on the radio and you smile like the cheesiest person ever and start singing along? ...Is it just me?

This subject was inspired by Modeste Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. As we have previously discussed, Mussorgsky dedicated his suite of piano pieces to a dear friend, Victor Hartman. In memory of a person special to him, Mussorgsky expressed his grief through music. What better medicine to treat such depression than music? Music is a “treatment” with only positive side effects and is actually enjoyable! When applied with intention, music has been shown to help organize the brain, elevate mood, increase socialization and appetite, and reduce agitation.

Music therapy can be defined as an interpersonal process where the therapist uses music and all of its features: physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual in order to help clients (note how they are not called “patients”) improve or maintain their health. Music therapy can be used on individuals of all ages and for a variety of conditions like psychiatric disorders, medical problems, physical handicaps, sensory impairments, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, communication disorders, interpersonal problems, and aging. It can also improve learning, build self-esteem, reduce stress, support physical exercise, as well as many other health-related activities.

Research shows that music increases the level of endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers, released which results in a decrease of pain levels for those with physical challenges. Commonly used in therapy is the hand drum. Drum playing is beneficial for improving motor skills, which will result in better coordination and movement. Recent research also suggests that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system, and lifts the spirits. Learning ability and memory can also be enhanced due to the need for concentration on creating sounds and rhythm

Clinical evidence shows that the left brain enjoys rhythmic structures, chord progressions, and the way lyrics fit nicely. The right brain enjoys melody and emotional responses produced by the infinite combinations of instruments and voices. Dr. Gottfried Schlaug found that when an area of the brain is disabled due to trauma or disease, music provides a unique passageway to reach that area, sometimes restoring impaired functions like movement, memory, and speech. Researchers have found that music can create a steady pace that helps patients with advanced Parkinson’s initiate walking. Music therapy is also used to temporarily open up areas of memory for those with Alzheimer’s. In one study, mood and function improved greatly in subjects with dementia who realized if they pushed a button, they would be rewarded with a familiar song. Stroke victims who developed speech impairments were taught to improve speech fluency by expressing themselves in a chant-like form of singing

Humans naturally embody this innate sense of music. Even the language we speak is music in itself. It is a means of self-expression and self-actualization. For those of us who aren't as verbally active (like myself) or for those who are suffering from a disease that prevents them from verbal expression, music is a pain-free solution.

To learn more, here are the sources where I found all of this information:
http://www.caregiver.com/articles/general/healing_power_of_music.htm
http://www.temple.edu/musictherapy/home/program/faq.htm
http://www.macalester.edu/academics/psychology/whathap/ubnrp/audition/site/history of music therapy.htm
http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=132693
http://hsionline.com/2010/03/18/music-2/