It has long been suggested that "music soothes the savage beast." But is this true? And if it is, does this have any implication where humans are concerned? The answer, apparently, is yes. To illustrate this, researchers point to the different physiological changes that take place within the human body in response to different sounds and noises. A loud noise that shatters the silence sets the human heart racing and stimulates a rush of adrenaline that prepares you for flight. In contrast a soft, soothing sound helps us to relax.
Music therapy has, in fact, been around for thousands of years. Nearly four thousand years ago the Hebrew Scriptures recorded that the boy who would later become King David was hired by his predecessor to play the harp to calm King Saul when he would go into a rage. Likewise, the use of music therapy is found in the writings of ancient civilizations such as Egypt, China, India, Greece and Rome.
More recently, scientists have been studying the effects of music therapy and have documented changes in respiratory rates, blood pressure, and pulse in response to musical stimuli. Likewise, researchers in the realm of music therapy have found that the use of music therapy can be effective in areas as diverse as IQ and recovery rates, pain management and weight loss.
Some object that this sounds too good to be true. How can music therapy change something like pain management? Researchers tell us that the reason music therapy works is based on how we hear. Sound is little more than vibrations in the air that are picked up by the inner ear and transferred to the brain which is a key component in your nervous system and controls the functions of the body and the brain responds to the stimuli that it is given.
In light of this, music therapy can and often is used in a wide variety of applications. One common application for music therapy is in working with autistic individuals because research has found that music can help autistic children to express themselves. Likewise, music therapy has been found to help individuals with physical disabilities to develop better motor skills.
With music therapy, individuals with high levels of anxiety can be helped to express suppressed emotions thereby discharging anger, or enabling the individual to express the joy they would not otherwise be able to express. Likewise, research has found that music therapy can help lower the anxiety levels of hospital patients who find themselves facing frightening prospects and in an unfamiliar environment. Furthermore, music therapy has been found to help medical professionals with pain management such that they have been able to reduce pain medication by as much as one half by helping to stimulate the production of the body's own pain killers, called endorphins.
Music therapy can come is a wide variety of forms. In some cases it's as simple as having the individual listen to particular music. In other cases music therapy requires a more interactive approach, having the individual respond to the music either in dance or using some other form of expression. But in its many forms, music therapy has often been found to be beneficial.
Duane Shinn is the author of over 500 music courses for adults. His book-CD-DVD course titled "how to add runs & fills to your piano playing!" is used by pianists around the world. He is the author of the popular free 101-week online e-mail newsletter titled "how to add runs & fills to your piano playing!" with over 61,200 current subscribers.
elite cleaning services Mundelein ..Stress ReliefStress is a big business in Western society. We... Read More
CHICAGO - According to a recent article in the September... Read More
The fast pace of life is taking toll on every... Read More
There is good stress, and there is bad stress. Good... Read More
Is your in-tray or inbox full? I don't normally check... Read More
Stress relief and managementRecognizing stress symptoms can be a positive... Read More
For those of you who have been living in a... Read More
Let's face it. If you are stressed, agitated and flitting... Read More
In these times when companies are constantly down-sizing and right-sizing... Read More
We wonder how many of you might recognise this scenario?... Read More
Most of us are trying to balance work, home, and... Read More
Stressed? Relax Right Now with 5 Super-Simple Stress-BustersStressed-out? Don't know... Read More
All people experience stress and anxiety in one form or... Read More
Do you worry all the time?Do the following symptoms bother... Read More
Today we have more stress in our lives than ever... Read More
The right amount of stress can be good for you,... Read More
One question that is not asked enough by people under... Read More
It is very true that, unfortunately, many people look to... Read More
Stress is the nastiest 4 letter word you ever met.... Read More
In the fast-paced world that we live in today, it... Read More
My first real job (schedule, time clock, paycheck, boss) was... Read More
Governements and businesses have regularly highlighted the costs of stress... Read More
Tough leaders are usually seen as ogres. Their exacting demands... Read More
Positive self-esteem is very important for our general health and... Read More
I recently received this e-mail message about stress management (author... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Mundelein ..Stress ReliefStress is a big business in Western society. We... Read More
"We do not stop playing because we grow old. We... Read More
This is the time for daydreaming about your annual vacation.... Read More
Are You Too Stressed?Is your stomach all tied up in... Read More
Do you get out of your car with a queasy... Read More
Do you attack problems and solve them or do you... Read More
What is the greatest fear of man? Is it death?... Read More
Do you worry all the time?Do the following symptoms bother... Read More
The moment I read the story I'm about to share... Read More
An excellent stress reducer can be something as simple as... Read More
If you live in the early part of the twenty-first... Read More
Q. I have just recently come to recognize that I... Read More
Where does stress really come from? Is there any simple... Read More
The main problem in a down economy is that workplaces... Read More
All stress comes from believing a thought that argues with... Read More
I am worried. I have been biting my nails for... Read More
Part 1: Recognize the importance of family stress managementJoe and... Read More
Looking for mindfulness? Who ya gonna call?Try dialing M.It's easy... Read More
Do you have the desire for a stress free life?... Read More
Loneliness and separation are the real illness of our times.... Read More
Often, in today's fast paced world, we forget to take... Read More
Positive self-esteem is very important for our general health and... Read More
Whether we are at work, traveling, or at home, we've... Read More
Stress, America's #1 health problem, is a leading cause of... Read More
With how busy we keep ourselves on a day to... Read More
Stress Management |