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Many times, I see patients who are experiencing pain or discomfort or even emotional distress but refuse to take medications for fear of the side effects.
Some patients are afraid of taking anything that may take control of the situation away. They fear the medication will decrease or outright eliminate their ability to experience emotions. Others fear addiction due to having seen others fall into the throes of addiction or having gotten themselves out of such situations.
These are situations where the worst aspect of a medication is being feared, and the person who is suffering relinquishes the possible good benefits of the medication.
These are all real situations for the person involved.
How would it be if a different therapy could be used that has no addictive qualities of any kind but has the distinct possibility of alleviating anxiety, depression, treating strokes and even relieving pain? What if this was harmless and not feared, that most people are exposed to every day?
In Europe, in particular, there is this experience. It is surprisingly music therapy.
In Germany, it is a part of the landscape and as common as physical therapy. Germany uses clinical guidelines for the treatment of dementia. There is good evidence that music treats anxiety, apathy and restlessness. In fact, Germany has 37 guidelines on the use of music therapy for various medical conditions. These are their highest evidence-based procedures for the country.
The ever-popular tango is used to improve balance and coordination and help those suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Choral singing using vocal training and social interaction often helps with depression in people diagnosed with dementia.
Music therapy has been shown to improve speech in those having had a stroke. It has also been shown to have immense benefits in pain and chronic pain management in patients battling cancer. It has been found to be as effective as opioids but without the side effects of opioids.
Music therapy improves mood, depression, fatigue and anxiety. In newborns, music therapy improves oxygenation, sleep, heart and respiratory rates, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. In premature infants, music therapy helps with the development of a functional brain, lowers anxiety and stress.
Music therapy helps children with developmental delays improve their language skills. It has particularly been shown to be effective with adolescents and young adults who have experienced domestic violence, migration or war.
Music therapy breaks down barriers. It speaks a language of its own without words.
In palliative care, music therapy has been found to treat anxiety, depression, fatigue, lower heart rate and relieve pain. It is also helpful for cognitive behavior.
So, here we have it. Music helps treat and improve life with little to no side effects. How does your favorite tune make you feel?
Dr. Veita Bland is a board-certified Greensboro physician and hypertension specialist. Dr. Bland’s radio show, “It’s a Matter of Your Health,” can be heard live on Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. on N.C. A&T State University’s WNAA, 90.1 FM. Listeners may call in and ask questions. The show is replayed on Sirius 142 at 5 p.m. on Wed. Email Dr. Bland at ideas@blandclinicpa.com.
