Music has existed for a very long time and is fondly called the universal language. Not only does it connect people of different cultures and language, it is also a power force that can influence our well being. Several researches reveal that listening to music has several physical and psychological benefits. From something as simple as calming the mind to causing a dramatic decrease in a patient’s blood pressure, the possibilities of the sound of music is vast. It is from harnessing the healing effects of music on the mind and body that sound healing was conceived. Here are some ways music heals:
Music causes changes in brainwave activity
Research shows that music can cause significant changes in the brainwave activity of a person. Music that follows strong beats can rouse one’s brainwaves. The sharper and faster the beats of the music, the sharper and more alert one’s concentration becomes. On the other hand, music that follows a slower tempo can induce calm and a meditative mood. Music can play an important role in soothing a patient and inducing a relaxing atmosphere in clinics and hospitals. In fact, it has been shown that individuals diagnosed with depression need fewer medications and respond better to psychotherapy when music is integrated in the course of the treatment. Children with autism, attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities have also responded in positive ways to music therapy.
Music can alter a person’s heart and breathing rates
As with the principles in changing brainwave activities, different kinds of music can also alter the person’s heart rate and breathing rate. The right tempo of music can induce slower breathing, a slower heart rate and can cause the body to go into a relaxed state. These effects of music are important in counteracting the possible effects of chronic stress and anxiety and provide relief from apprehension as well as promote a better state of mind.
Sound can be recreated to offer release from a traumatic experience
When someone experiences something traumatic, for instance, a car accident, the brain registers everything that occurred. This can result in energetic trauma which the body will store and can hamper recovery. Sound healing therapists can help patients recover from the incident faster by recreating the sounds that happened during the accident to provide the patient a form of release from the trauma.
Certain sound frequencies can dissolve blocks
Imagine an opera singer shattering a glass with her own voice. This is made possible when the singer is able to match the frequency of her voice to that of the glass. This principle is applied in ultrasounds used in operations involving kidney stones. Ultrasound waves can break kidney stones into pieces small enough to be passed out of the body without the use of surgery.
The sound of music opens endless possibilities even in the field of medicine. With the right information and methods, one can integrate music in ways that are beneficial to patients and people suffering from different symptoms and ailments.
Music is wonderfully soothing! I had Pandora on this afternoon, playing some Celtic music while I was cleaning the kitchen. So nice. :-)
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