“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, and gaiety and life to everything.” /Plato/
Music is often linked to mood, but besides that it also influences physiological processes such as the heartbeat and respiration, and stimulates the release of endorphins. All forms of music may have therapeutic effects, although music from one’s own culture may be most effective. In Chinese medical theory, the five internal organ and meridian systems are believed to have corresponding musical tones, which are used to encourage healing.
Types of music differ in the types of neurological stimulation they evoke. For example, classical music has been found to cause comfort and relaxation while rock music may lead to discomfort. Music may achieve its therapeutic effects in part by elevating the pain threshold.
Music has been used as a tool of healing since ancient times, appearing in the writings of the Greek philosophers Pythagoras, Aristotle, and Plato. Indigenous groups across cultures have used music to enhance traditional healing practices for centuries. References to music for healing have appeared in ancient Native American pictographs, African petroglyphs and other ancient inscriptions. Healing songs and music have also been passed down through oral traditions worldwide.
Buddhist monks and Indian yogis have a long tradition of chants to induce a change in their physical and mental state. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners have used music for healing.
Some scholars believe that “modern” music therapy began in the mid-1700s, when Louis Roger wrote his “A Treatise on the Effects of Music on the Human Body.” Others say that the modern discipline of music therapy began early in the 20th Century to treat recovering soldiers during and after both World Wars. Patients’ responses led to growth of such programs and wider scientific curiosity about the possible clinical effects of music.
Music has been used to influence physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being and improve quality of life for healthy people as well as those who are disabled or ill. In our INUA cabins, we use a special invisible vibrational sound system from WHD which helps you to experience how the music will resonate through you. To feel the healing frequencies of sound and music is a natural, mindfulness based stress reducing experience.
Acoustic therapy may involve either listening to or performing music, with or without the presence of a music therapist. Below we have been listing some of the beneficial effects of music therapy:
