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Saturday, April 30, 2011

Can Music Heal Us?

By Jack Wogan


People have been struggling to defeat illnesses through various medicines and treatments, but the most efficient method was always under their nose: music. Theoreticians use the Quality Of Life, a method to increase the well-being of individuals. Recent researches of these theoreticians have shown that art is more efficient in the treatment of diseases because it stimulates the emotional well-being which is more important than the physical one.

Nevertheless, music is the most powerful art as studies have shown it has the biggest impact on our emotional part. Neuroscientists have reached the conclusion that the stimulation of the brain through music might increase the efficiency of the medical treatments because many of our functions are located in our brain. The medical tests that have been performed so far have revealed important facts about the relation between our health and music.

By imitating the rhythm and the intonations of various melodies, people who suffer from speech affections have recovered their ability to speak. This practice is called 'melodic intonation therapy' and it was internationally recognized as the best method to fight stroke after-effects. The method is very efficient against stuttering, as well, because rap songs correct the pronunciation of these patients.

People with mental affections, such as, depressions have responded well to music therapy. Doctors have noticed that relaxing music can help their patients get rid of stress and thus, reduce the possibility of getting depressed. Studying piano is another method that therapists recommend to depressed people because this instrument requires a lot of attention and the patient is distracted from depressive thoughts.

Heart diseases and epilepsy may be treated with music, too. During the tests they have performed, doctors have noticed a remarkable improvement of the condition of the patients who suffer from these illnesses. The remedy consists in listening Mozart's music for twenty minutes per day.

Memories are often related to senses, which is why a certain scent or melody can trigger distant memories in our mind. Given this aspect, doctors try to stimulate the memory of the Alzheimer patients through music. They have set connections between the everyday activities of these patients and music, so whenever they hear a song, patients remember what they have to do.

Researches related to the effects of music on our physical and mental state have just begun; so many discoveries will be made in the near future. Until we find out everything there is to know about this domain, we can improve the quality of our life by listening to music and playing piano as often as we can.




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