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Sound of Music
By: Brigitte Synesael
Here's a subject that is not
often discussed, but is becoming
more accredited in light of it's
success. Sound Therapy is used
in hospitals, schools, and
psychological treatment
programs. Sound and music can
have a very powerful effect on
an individual's health. It is an
effective treatment to reduce
stress, alleviate pain, and
lower blood pressure, among many
other ailments. There are more
than 5,000 registered music
therapists in the United States.
Music therapy is also recognized
by the Joint Commission on the
Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations.
Now... how does it work and what
can it do for you?
People respond to sound
vibrations in 2 ways; Rhythm
Entrainment and Resonance. There
is evidence that the rhythm of a
person's heartbeat will adjust
itself to that of an external
sound source. This could include
the rhythmic pulse of music, the
hammering of a neighbour making
repairs or the humming of your
furnace. This action is referred
to as Rhythm Entrainment.
Different frequencies or pitches
of sound stimulate the body to
vibrate in various areas. This
is known as Resonance.
Typically, low sounds resonate
in the lower body parts, whereas
high sounds resonate in the
higher body parts.
The health benefits of Sound and
Music Therapy are countless and
very diversified. Music therapy
offers numerous benefits to
Alzheimer patients. It can
improve mood, reduce the need
for medication, and may prevent
deterioration by stimulating the
brain. A study led by Dr.
Frederick Tims of Michigan State
University and published in the
November 1999 issue of
Alternative Therapies showed
that patients with Alzheimer's
Disease who underwent four weeks
of structured music therapy
showed significant increases in
their level of melatonin, a
neurohormone linked with sleep
regulation and believed to
influence the immune system.
Another study examined the
effects of music therapy on 30
older adults diagnosed with
depressive disorder. Those
assigned to the treatment group
who underwent at-home music
therapy on a weekly basis
performed significantly better
on standardized tests for
depression and also reported
less distress, a better mood,
and more self-esteem than the
untreated control group.
A study of 38 adults who arrived
in the emergency room with cuts
large enough to require stitches
were randomly assigned to
undergo the procedure with or
without music. The group with
music reported significantly
less pain during the procedure.
A study of music therapy in 25
elderly people with sleep
disturbances revealed that music
therapy improved sleep patterns
in 24 of the 25 subjects.
There has been significant
success with Sound Therapy in
helping those with autism learn
to communicate.
Naturally, there is a complete
science to the specific types of
sounds and how specific areas of
the body and the brain are
influenced by those sounds.
Clearly it is much too involved
to do proper justice in a single
article. However, I do encourage
you to further your research on
the subject of Sound and Music
Therapy. Can you think of a
nicer way to cure what ails you?
Sources:
Alternative Medicine; The
Definitive Guide
The Reference Center -
AMC; American Music Conference -
Bio:
Brigitte Synesael founded Your
Life-Your Choice in 1997, and is
now recognized as an authority
on Alternative Medicine
Information. Her associations
with governing agencies and
certified practitioners ensure
well researched, quality
information. Her free
newsletter, found at http://www.Life-Choices.com
is an excellent resource for
various types of treatments.
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