Someone asked me the power of music, my explanation was, “what happens when national anthem is played in front of soldiers before the battle”, they are ready to die for the nation. Music has direct impact on our mood, behavior and if used smartly, it can help curing many diseases. Our brains are wired for music, and this is likely one of the major reasons for its universality. According to Indian and Tibetan traditional medicine, music is considered as a healing force which can make everyone physically, mentally, psychologically and spiritually healthy. Music therapy along with Acupuncture is a good healing combination.
Heart rate and blood pressure deceases and oxygen consumption increases, when the right type of music is played. This auditory stimulus positively affects the patient physiologically and psychologically.
The benefits of music therapy
Many studies are being done on effect of music on human health and how it can be used to enhance patient health and quality of life. Here is the outcome of various studies:
- Music activates parasympathetic nervous system which means health, calm mind, good heart beat, relaxation.
- Improves invasive procedures. People undergoing medical procedures like colonoscopies, cardiac angiography, and knee surgery, those who listened to music before their procedure had reduced anxiety and a reduced need for sedatives. Those who listened to music in the operating room reported less discomfort during their procedure. Hearing music in the recovery room lowered the use of painkillers.
- Music improves Immunity. People who were exposed to the soft and healing music had a natural rise in IgA which is first line of defense against infection. Exposure to good music also improves good hormones resulting in better immunity level.
- Helpful for stroke or brain injury patients. Music therapy can help people who are recovering from a stroke or brain injury with lost speech that has damaged the left-brain.
- Music therapy is an established form of therapy to help individuals address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs. Music helps reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure and cortisol in the body.
- Helpful for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy as music reduces the side effects of both. Listening to music reduces anxiety associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It can also reduce nausea and vomiting for patients receiving chemotherapy.
- Helpful in pain relief. Music therapy decreases pain perception, reduces the amount of pain medication needed, helps relieve depression, and gives people a sense of better control over their pain.
- Useful for dementia patients, music therapy can help to recall memories, reduce agitation, assist communication, and improve physical coordination.
Apart from the above benefits studied by Harvard , music therapy is useful for stress related issues, insomnia, reduced inflammation as it decreases the flow of stress hormones leading to depression and anxiety and is mood lifting.
Music therapy may involve:
- listening to music
- singing along with music
- moving to the beat of the music
- meditating
- playing an instrument
Indian traditional medicine uses mantras for chanting and meditation. One of the most widely used and researched word is AUM or OM. If you listen to sound created by this word, it creates healing effect on your physical, mental and psychological wellbeing.
Tibetan, Indian and many other Asian traditional schools of medicines used mantra chanting sound for healing and correcting medical condition. Kaushik Acupuncture is best Acupuncture in Delhi.