Music, Wellness, & Healing
An Overview and Introduction
Throughout history and across all cultures, music affects us mentally, physically, emotionally, and often spiritually. Over the last 50 years science has discovered that music is even more powerful than once thought. Its influence begins in the womb and continues throughout our entire lives.
Prenatal sounds form important developmental components stimulating brain function and providing a foundation for later learning, behavior, and a higher level of organization. Vivaldi and Mozart soothe infants at 4-5 months while loud passages of Beethoven, Brahms, and Rock are disturbing.
Researchers have found that preschoolers learning to play the piano have significant increases in their learning capacities in science and math. In fact, some studies indicate that students with musical performance experience score higher points in both verbal and math sections in SATs.
The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, considered a preeminent authority in clinical music therapy, was developed out of many years of observations and clinical work. Oliver Sacks, MD and others observed that many people with neurological problems could learn to move better, remember more, and even regain speech when music was used in specific ways. Often the effect of music was instantaneous -- like the awakening of a patient who was able to feed himself when a rock and roll song was played.
More advanced medical imaging devices, especially Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are making it possible to see the brain and study how it works. Gottfried Schlaug, M.D. Ph.D. Director, Music and Neuroimaging Laboratory at Beth Israel Deaconess & Harvard Medical School states that, “…music clearly activates an auditory-motor network that influences core structures of the brain. (Music) can provide an alternative entry into a broken or dysfunctional brain system, allowing children with autism or adults with Alsheimer’s to make contact with the world around them.”
Music therapy has been used to improve motor coordination in cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. It’s also used to teach breath and diction control for people with a speech impairment.
Music can promote calming behaviors in prisoners and make the workplace more productive.
Cher Pascoe
Director of Development
Music can move the masses as in the case of Richard Wagner’s serious and intense works that were used for marching and party rallies for Hitler and his Third Reich.Music therapy currently is being used to treat stroke, trauma, dementia, and Parkinson's. Additionally, it’s used to treat attention deficit disorders, depression, brain injury, and many other diseases and disorders.
Over the next several months, we will be exploring more of this exciting frontier, focusing in more detail on several key topics.
Article references available upon request
Music, Wellness, and Healing will be a continuing column in JSO programs.