Music as Medicine for the Brain
Neurologists like Oliver Sacks are prescribing it for conditions from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's to stroke and depression
Reader Comments
Music Certainly Helps The Brain.
It surely has got me back to playing again.
Music-as-Medicine-for-the-brain
I have been teaching Dalcroze music and movement since 1969. My first experiences with the affect and effect of moving to music were at the Manhattan School of Music in the Extension Division. Many of my students were musicians; however some were therapists, teachers, nurses, and one was a retired psychiatrist who was studying drumming! Most of them came in rather listless, tired after a day's work, and one hour later, after moving to my music improvised at the piano, they left enervated, invigorated and glowing from the experience. I knew that something very profound was affecting them: their concentrated attention to the music, and the necessary body control and coordination to match their movements and gestures and voices to that music had to make the neurons dance in their brains! This was before we knew about endorphins, however we knew something wonderful was happening.
I had a profound experience at about that same time in a pre-school class of four-year-olds. The youngsters responded joyously, matching their claps, gestures or steps to the walks, runs and gallops of the improvised music. Sometimes they shouted with glee as they experienced the freedom of moving to music. When the class ended, one of their teachers came to me and said that one of the youngsters, who was diagnosed as autistic, had spoken for the first time in school!
More recently, I led a group of elderly at a nursing home, some with Alzheimers, and some in wheelchairs. Those who were able, moved about the room in response to the music, but each and every one, even seated, was actively involved in showing their response to rhythm and sound. At the conclusion, I asked: "How do you feel?" And, without missing a beat, a lovely lady in a wheelchair cried out:
"I FEEL ALIVE!!!!" What a testimonial to the power of music!
We Dalcroze teachers have always known the value of involvement in music as a marvelous therapy, and we're delighted to finally have acknowledgement by the medical community.
Music is Therapeutic!
As a working professional jazz pianist, I can honestly say that I have observed an increase in alertness and responsiveness among the residents of the numerous assisted living facilities at which I now perform in Sarasota, Florida. Once a month, I play at an Alzheimer's day care center, and many of the clients sing the lyrics; those who can dance and clap in time with the music. I close my programs with God Bless America, and they all sing along--they remember the lyrics to that patriotic classic. It gives me great satisfaction to witness the effect music has on those who can no longer get around to hear live music as they did when they were much younger. I have known for many years that music is the closest thing to a universal language, and it is excellent therapy. I'm very heartened to know that researchers are now really beginning to understand how the process works, and I hope this knowledge can benefit all of humanity.
Parkinson's Therapy
Now that explains it! I exercise every day. Aerobics as well as weight training. I believe it has helped. There are times when I feel clumsy running. That occurs while I am listening to talk radio on my Walkman headset. When I can't listen to 'talk radio', I listen to classical music. I cannot remember a time listening to music that I felt clumsy. Starting today, I will diarize my exercise sessions for changes in dexterity. I will let you know my results.
A big applause to our researchers
Thanks the researchers for their endless effort on finding out the "magic power" of music in helping people who are in need. No matter physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and communication, music can address the needs accordingly provided that the music is selected by music therapists systematically.
As someone who is working toward to become a music therapist, I often come across with problems of how I can use music therapeutically instead of just for fun. This article really helps me to understand and apply the concepts I learned in a practical manner.
Music is powerful
I do believe music has magic power! I love music!
Music as Brain Medicine
As someone who has been researching the healing powers of music for nearly 20 years, I know that what you've written about here is absolutely true! We all love some kind of music, but very few realize the therapeutic power that different music has with different populations.
Thank you so much for publicizing this very important information. Keep up the good work!
Dr. Alice H. Cash
www.HealingMusicEnterprises.com
It is about time to recognise that all the needless violence and immorality that is thrown to the public by our popular media has very little value at all ..amd is very bad for every ones nerves and sanity.....there are very fine music programs available now on our TVs and we should enjoy them as much as possible......cordially , Steve...
read this
Try some music therapy from your grandmothers favorites! This is very interesting.
