Sometimes seeing dramatic, positive results can happen with just the push of a button. Music may appear to be nothing more than notes, words, and rhythms … but this art form is far more than the sum of its parts.
Healing with music
In the 1700s, doctors used music to treat depression, and Florence Nightingale employed music to ease soldiers’ pain during the Crimean War. Music’s healing abilities have long been understood, as today many physicians and therapists turn to music therapy to help their patients.
Music therapy for pain management has been proven highly effective. Surprisingly, just listening to music—any style of music—on a daily basis results in a drastic decrease in pain reported by patients, especially for the older adult population.
Music therapy can also ease depression. When implementing the mood-shifting capabilities of music into a patient’s treatment and usual routine, uplifting songs can have an elevating effect on mood
A third and very interesting type of music therapy is designed to improve the movement and walking abilities of older adults, especially stroke victims.
Let’s pick up the pace!
Therapists encourage patients to make their movements to the beat, and this actually helps them to work longer, have smoother movements, move more quickly, and walk longer distances. Simply listening to music helps to further all of these great steps toward recovery and improvement for people who could otherwise be suffering.
In all cases, music therapy is an inexpensive, non-invasive, and safe form of therapy that can benefit people of all ages.
Music memory
As we all know, it can be a challenge to recall certain facts or pieces of information, but the lyrics of a song learned decades ago
can be perfectly stated at the drop of a hat.
This recollection phenomenon is known as music memory … something that forms between the ages of 15 to 25.
It sets in motion a person’s ability to associate music or a specific song with memories of time, place, emotional state, and even a sense of identity. Where, when, and with whom an individual learned a song can stay with him or her forever!
Music memory is so powerful that some physicians have started to use it to treat Alzheimer’s disease. While it is not a cure, tapping into music memory can help alleviate some of the most devastating symptoms, including memory loss. When listening to their favorite songs, individuals with Alzheimers have sometimes become vocal, started to dance, and express memories that were thought to be lost forever.
Truly music’s powers are remarkable.
Turn on some tunes today
Therapeutic, relaxing, physical and fun. Music is all these things and a simple way to living well … and long.
Contact LifeCall Medical Alert Systems, one of the leading providers of BOSCH in-home health care monitoring solutions for seniors and at-risk persons seeking to retain their independence and remain in their own homes. www.lifecall.com
