Music for Healing & Relaxation

The health benefits of music have been known for a very long time. It is even hypothesized that the universal appeal of music is related to the experience of hearing the mother's heartbeat in the womb. Although the reasons why music therapy are effective are still subject to debate, it is a fact that it does produce positive and measurable physiological effects, even in relatively healthy individuals.

History

• The healing effects of music have been known since ancient times. In the United States, music therapy started to become a more formalized art following World War I and World War II. Many injured soldiers came back and their doctors and caretakers encouraged them to engage in both passive and active forms of musical activity to reduce the perception of pain.

Physical Effects

• It is important to listen to music that is relaxing and soothing to a particular person. The first response is usually a marked increase in deep breathing and a lower heart rate. Live music has been found to be particularly effective because the sound is perceived by the ear and felt by the body. However, being forced to listen to music is not advisable. Listening to music that is marketed for meditation or relaxation has been found to increase the stress response in individuals who did not want to listen to it.

What Music is Best?

• One of the best places to start is with music that is familiar. This could simply be a favorite song or music from childhood. Also, try to match the music to the desired mood. Slow music can be very soothing and calming, whereas fast-paced music is better to cultivate focus and energy. Very repetitive music such as Native American drumming or Indonesian gamelan can be helpful in reducing pain perception because it was originally designed to induce trance states.

Organizations

• The first music therapy organization in the U.S. was the National Association for Music Therapy. Formed in 1950, it was created for the purpose of helping veterans, the mentally challenged and visually impaired. In the late 1990s, this group and another merged to become the American Music Therapy Association.

Careers

• Music Therapy is an emerging career. More universities are beginning to offer it as an area of major study and there are currently more jobs in the field than there have ever been. Music therapists work in hospitals, halfway houses, drug and alcohol rehab facilities, correctional facilities, senior centers, nursing homes and in privately owned practices.