Fibromyalgia and Music Therapy
One of the main issues for fibromyalgia patients is pain management.
Most pain medications have limited application; patients tend to develop a
resistance to them, and cortisone has nasty side effects. If you’re having
difficulty managing chronic pain, music therapy might be a helpful option to
consider.
Music therapy is an established form of treatment that can be a valuable
resource in restoring quality of life for fibromyalgia patients. Studies show
that music therapy alleviates pain, promotes physical rehabilitation, can create
a feeling of wellbeing, and aids in managing stress. In music therapy, an
accredited music therapist will assess the needs of the client and create an
individualized treatment plan which might include singing, listening,
composing, and moving to music. Clients find strength in their musical
abilities and this ability then carries over to other areas of their
lives.
The idea of using music as therapy is not a new one. Music as a method
of healing was referred to in the writings of Aristotle and Plato. Modern day
music therapy has its roots in the astonishing effect seen in servicemen wounded
in both world wars after hearing professional and amateur musicians. The patients
seemed to rebound from both physical and emotional trauma with the help of
these performances. The results were so remarkable that nurses and doctors
began to request that musicians be hired by the hospitals to perform for
patients.
“Simply Put, Music Can Heal People.”
Says Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.): “Simply put, music can heal
people.”
Patients need not be musical in order to partake of the benefits of
music therapy and there is no one kind of music that has specific beneficial
effects. The type of music to be used in therapy is determined by the board
certified music therapist. While it’s best to visit a qualified therapist,
there are recorded versions of what is known as prescriptive music, or music
that consists of 50-60 beats a minute. This type of music can lower blood
pressure and heart rates and even reduce pain.
Music Was The First Thing That Had Given Him Relief.
One fibromyalgia patient saw four different doctors yet found no relief
for his pain. A friend lent him a prescriptive music CD and the results were so
persuasive the chronic pain sufferer made an appointment with a music
therapist. Music was the first thing that had given him relief.
Other alternative therapies worth looking into are dance therapy and pet therapy.