I thought of music therapy as some alternative medicine that did brighten your spirits when you were down, and had some effect similar to yoga. But quite recently, one of my friend's mother who is in the secondary stage of liver cancer is undergoing some therapy that involves just music and meditation. The poor lady is pinning a lot of hope on this and earnestly believes that she will be cured. I am not usually a cynic, but I could instantly smell some trouble there when I heard about the amount of money they are spending on this. If somone combines this with some other medicines, it may make sense, but they do not seem to do that. Do you think such exploitations must be tolerated in the name of anything, let alone music?
[question posted by ashjoe76]
responses and comments:
I believe in music therapy as a way of calming one down I am afraid that I don't believe it has the ability to cure an ailment. If she is charged for this and they are claiming they can cure her they are scamming her. As she is very sick she is looking for their claim as hope that she will be cured. I use music to sooth me when I am upset and after I put on my soft music my anger slides out of me. I have been doing this for many years now. But I have never used it or thought of it as a tool to be cured by. I feel that she is definitely being exploited and the one who will be left with drastic let down is her. I will keep her in my prayers. [sunshinelady]
Oh don't be suprised becaues it's true we also have art therpy and both help alot if your suffering from Aids or Cancer or a termal illness. It's amazing but it does help if you listen to music it can make you happy and that is the key;-) [serge4hair]
well music therapy is a really effective way of calming the body and soul.there have been many instances where it has cured diseases and it has also been proved.all you got to do is believe.when there is no other option out i think this is a really good option.it frees you from your worries and calms you which is the major cause for most of the diseases.i am not sure about it when it comes to liver cancer though.but in general i have heard that music therapy has proved to be very effective.hope your friends ma gets better.take care buddy. [dbeast]
Well first, I am very sad for you, and your friend. Liver cancer is a pretty evil disease, and your friend's Mother will be suffering, and in a lot of pain. Honestly, I am sceptical of this. I have heard of music being used to help people regain consciousness when they are in a deep coma (playing them their favorite songs, that kind of thing), and I have also heard that some music can have calming effects on autistic chidren. However, with something as aggressive as liver cancer, I cannot see a cure without the use of some drugs, and medication as well.I am sure the meditation techniques will help the lady relax, and listening to music may relax her, and lift her spirits too, but I personally can't see it working in any deeper way. I hope for her sake, that I am wrong though - sometimes "miracles" do happen. [rosie_123]
Absurdity not, I do not believe there, but who believes us has some improvements [miryam]
I don't know if music can become a sort of alternative medicine, but I think that music can help. For example, if you are sad, you could listen to the "adagio" of some Mozart concerts, they should help you. I think that people should decide for themselves, but the problem is that they sometimes make weird choices and do everything wrong. [FrancyDafne]
On it's own I seriously doubt it will do much. Yes it could help her relax which might allow other medicines to work better. With meditation and concentrating with the power of the mind it might do some good. I wouldn't give up on traditional approaches but it could assist it. I do believe that the mind can do a lot when we want it to. It's just knowing how to do it and using it however all on it's own it's very hard to acheive such stregnth. I would suggest with this therapist to check out their credentials. Make sure they are legit and if not let your friend know. If need be let the authorities know as well. Your friend is dealing with enough without having to deal with a snake oil salesman. [emeraldisle]
I suppose weather it should be tolerated depends on how it is portrayed. I believe music therapy, like art and animal therapy, focuses on opening natural channels in all of us that can aid in healing...the release of certain chemicals, a calming of the mind that allows the body to focus and heal, and mixed with meditation could help a person to "focus" that healing to a specific area. I don't believe that it should replace traditional medicine at all, and if the sales pitch is "all you have to do is this, stop your meds because they will interfere", than I think that would be unethical. What I do believe in is the untapped power of our brains and how much control we actually have over our own bodies, and I think just the belief that music therapy can help could help - probably not cure, but help - hope is very healing, and if nothing else the therapy brings some relaxing, happy, content moments in an otherwise very difficult and uncomforable stage of life. I hope your friends mother will be okay, and I'm sorry to hear that you are touched so closely by such a devestating disease. [questionthis]
I think various people can find "therapy" in various ways but there are lines to be drawn as to medical abilities. Unfortunately, people who have grasped for everything imaginable and do not want to face their death will continue to grasp at straws in hopes. Unfortunately there are always going to be people out there that will push "alternative healing" to those who truly have no other choice in life. It's sad. And the sad part is, they are spending so much money on it and still don't see it for what it is. Perhaps it is helping her in her path towards the end, but I'm going to bet my last dollar it isn't a cure for cancer. [hockeygal4ever]
This sounds kind of odd to me. I do know that some naturopathic remedies are very effective but you need to find a naturopathic doctor. [nw1911guy]
I do believe music is therapudic...but in your mom's friends' case, she needs to look for spiritual help. Look for someone to pray with her and guide her through healing prayer. [OnfireforJesus]
I have read that music can help calm someones mind. It is a pyschological healing. So if you have calm and peace in mind then your body will go with that emotion. It signal on our brain since our brain does the sending of all signals to our every part of our body. It somehow help but it is not just the only thing that someone who is sick will do. Of course he also need to take medicine. Music can also affects the growth of plants. Three plants are being experimentented, one is played classical music, the other is rock and the other a normal variable. After one month upon constant playing of music the result are: the plant with classical music played grows is the biggest of all, the normal variable is the middle and the plants played with rocked music is the smallest and seems to be not healthy. So if plants is affected by music why not our brain? [marymarj2002]
Music has been known to have a positive effect on both mental and physical health since ancient times, when people used singing, dancing and chanting as a part of rituals to throw out the evil spirits that supposedly caused disease. Experiencing and making music have been linked to lower heart rate, decreased Blood Pressure and reduced stress. Music also has been shown to offer pain relief, although that has been controversial until recently. When two German researchers published results of their look at music's effect on the chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome and polyarthritis in 1997, they noted the lack of research on the subject. However, they found a significant reduction of pain intensity and pain-related disability in patients exposed to music compared to a control group with no music exposure. French research published in 2005 found music to be effective in controlling chronic low back pain in hospitalized patients. Some of the best health effects are associated with active involvement in music, such as singing. A recent survey of 1,780 drivers for the British car-insurance company Privilege Insurance found that listening to music may help reduce road rage and decrease the chance of an accident. Most respondents with good driving records said music relaxed them when driving and aided their concentration. Half of the motorists said they often sing along to music while driving. Safe drivers in the survey tended to play easy listening and classical music in their cars. Dr Nicola Dibben, a music psychologist from the University of Sheffield who carried out the study on behalf of Privilege, says: Singing while driving stimulates not only the mind but also the body which in turn produces heightened alertness and reduced fatigue. Singing may be less distracting than conversation because drivers recall words to songs they already know, or because it is fairly easy to learn the words to music where it uses repeated lyrics. Yoga is just emptying of mind.It does not work.Yoga -the Indian stuff is just a mixture of occult practices.It does more harm than good.Music and meditation if faith based ,it works. [nishdan01]
I don't think this is any form of exploitation of music. When you are terminally ill you get desperate and stop at nothing to feel better. Perhaps music and meditation soothes the tired mind and simply allow her illness to be set aside from her mind. She deserves to think happy thoughts and clear her mind of the pressures of ebing ill. [hartnsoul]
Music Therapy is not used as an alternative medicine it is used to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals. It improves the quality of life for the person who are well and meets the needs of children and adults that are sick. It is used just to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain,express feelings, enhance memory,improve communication and promote physical rehabilitation. Don't you feel yourself at ease when you listen to slow music? It actually soothes...and take of the feel of stress..It's like it's saying everythings ok...and I am not even doing the music therapy... [p3halliwel2005]
I give music therapy a thumbs-up. Recently I saw a website account of a dairy farmer who wanted to make his workers' environment more enjoyable. He put loudspeakers in his barns and played Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. The article didn't say how the workers liked it, but . . . . milk production increased significantly! [DOITHERE]
I have heard a little bit about music therapy, but I am not an expert. In my mind it is an agent more for the healing of the mind and spirit, and it can be combined with other therapies for help to the body. It is beneficial in dealing with problem behaviours. I have even heard of a special chair with speakers buil within it so that the music can pass through the body. An assortment of sensory inputs are very helpful to the agitated. If the people do this of their own free will then there is not much to be done about it, unless your friend is power of attorney for healthcare. Good luck. [GardenGerty]
well the therapy does not cause any harm naa....it does not have any adverse effect too.....so when someone can have laughter therapy and yoga then why cant we use music therapy to cure comeone...it has been scintifically proven that the plants respond more to the music........... [bharti_regan]
I think music theraphy does work in India farmers use classical music on their crops to make them grow. It's amazing the result they get from a little they invest! [shyamjoshi]
Music therapy could definitely make someone feel better but it could never cure a sickness. It seems like her therapist is just giving her a blind hope and earning a lot of money without doing anything to cure her. [brew2x]
music therapy may be considered as a stress reliever and lessens one's predisposition to sickness, but it wont cure diseases on its own! we have medicines and doctors to make that happen. [lotsa_cash]
I know cancer victimes who have used meditation successfully to cure cancer, but it was always used in conjunction with other therapies, such as major diet changes. Some people even use tradional (including meditation)), with conventional treatment. I imagine music could be beneficial to healing, but not on it's own. What your friend is doing is most unwise, but I would blame the perpetrator. [jennybianca]
i think music therapy is very effective... particularly hard rock music can be used as a substitute of anti depressants... and Spiritual Music can equally bring peace in a stressed mind like music of enigma... though it depends a person how much responds towards music... [tojo_friend]
I think music could definitely help to calm people and other types of music could help with various emotions. They may help to cure by lifting spirits and maybe even giving hope, like prayer. But other than positive thinking and keeping a positive view of a possible outcome, I doubt it would do a thing. [Pigglies]
As a person who has been playing music for the last 20 years - North Indian Classical instrument Sitar and South Indian Classical Instrument Flute, please permit me to share my experiences with my lot readers. 1. The therapeutic and curative properties of music are yet to be scientifically investigated. 2. Both North Indian and South Indian classical music tunes (called "Raagas" are sung in slow tempo first without percussion. After depicting the full form of the tune, percussion is added with slow tempo followed by quicker tempo. 3. Every raaga reflects a specific mood, and is played at a specific time of the day/night. The raagas of melancholy are different from raagas of delight. Sunrise raagas are different from midnight raagas. 4. A well-played/sung raga can mesmerise individuals and change their moods. 5. For psychological disorders like depression, slow melodious classical music seems to work. But music cannot give permanent cure. It can only give relief just as painkillers and alcohol do. The difference is they have side effects whereas music does not have side effects. 6. As far as physical ailments are concerned, there is not enough proof, though experiments are being made in India (and probably abroad). Using classical music for earning money - I hope should not take place - except for out of pocket expenses and a reasonable honorarium. 7. Music therapy is not a substitute for treatment by qualified physicians and hospitals. 8. Indian slow tempo classical music is available on net at a cheap price or freely (where I do not know. I understand). If anybody has access to such music, one can try hisher luck by making the patients to listen to the music, while at the same time undergoing normal treatment. Raagas such as Hamsa Dhwani, Mohana, Kalyani, Darbari Kanada, Pilu, Hindustani Kafi, Carnatic Kafi can be tried. 9. I have come to know one top Carnatic vocal musician by name Shri Balamurali Krishna is doing extensive experimentation on music therapy. There is also one God person by name "Ganapati Sachidananda Swamy" who conducts on stage music therapy programmes using CAsio keyboard. These two people may be having their web sites and institutions. 10. We should not forget that there is an element of "faith cure" and "Placebo" effect, till scientific proof is available. [multisubj]
Disclaimer: The names given by me in 9 above (Balamuralikrishna and Ganapati Satchidananda have some reputation in South India). I am not their representative. No responsibility can be accepted by me for anything good or bad, if some reader here contacts them and gets some results good or bad. I have written what I know to the best of my knowledge. [multisubj]
Music therapy might help to calm you down, help you live longer. But I hardly doubt it heals you completly! She has been tricked. I dont know how you'd break that to her. Maybe you shouldnt. But make sure they dont trick others would be good. They use music therapy for my sister who is handicappted. She isnt dying, but it helps her. I hear that pets come and go to hospitals, usually dogs and help calm them down. Thats great too! [monkeywriter]
Music therapy as a means to cure a disease is quiestionable but that mucsic therapy is good for calming and focusing has been proven. My son is autistic has benefitted a lot from music therapy. And visit the website of www.musicahaspower.org and watch the videos. This is an Institute for Music and Neurologic Function based in NYC. And of course everyone has to watch out for persons taking advantage of their situation. [mobyfriend]
hmm...music therapy is alternative medicine, I agree with you, but...a primarily is GOD...HE is a health doctor, you must believe it... [cherrysant]
I love music. But i don't think we can say that it can cure an illness. Music alone won't cure a person. maybe accompanied with some medicines. [crycutie]
personally, i believe, music being a soul refresher can actually soothe us of our mental agony and pains. i would love to go through this kinda therapy and know for sure i would get a cure, taking that this should be done under proper expertise supervision. having said this, i feel this would not work for all like it will for me or any other music lovers. it is subjective, i have a great passion for music and find solace in it, while my dad doesn't find it that much interesting. i bet, music therapy woulnot work for my father! now, coming to your friend's. i firmly believe any distinctive medical problem CANNOT be cured by music or anyhing virtual for that matter. as you have rightly said, music therapy might work if administered in addition to proper medication. how can terminal diseases like cancer be cured or repressed without medcal treatment. it's indeed silly for your friend to have trust on music alone, this is not scientific while treating liver cancer. this brings in another discussion of the viability of such alternative treatments. i DONOT believe in the fact that alternative therapies ALONE could eradicate terminal illnesses. i find no justification in this over hyped therapies on treating cancers. i cannot over rule two more factors, 1) the extorbitant expense and 2) the authenticity of expertise. thank you very much, it was nice responding [mimpi1911]
Why does she have to pay to listen to music? Music is good for the soul and calms you down - all good things for the body I'm sure - but!! What a scam! [smacksman]
You have a point there. I also doubt if the act is justifiable but I really beleived in the power of music but in the case you've just stated, I think it's already exploitation and fraud. [here_for_you]
I would like to hear music of my taste, simply beacuse I know it relaxes me. As far as the therepy thing is concernd, I have no idea about it, but the information, that you have posted does sounds absurd. [hariramyadav1950]
I think it's true and likely to be useful for those who couldn't be cured by modern meditation.However,I always insist that metal power is huge,sometimes it creats unbelievable things. [terrly396]
No it doesn't.. A lot of kind of music therapy such as classic music. I used to listen to the classic music when my brain starting to burn.. [theKop]
i think that she needs to continue her medication and music therapy alone will not help her. of course this can help her clear her thoughts and not be worried about physical pain, but she needs to continue taking medicine. [chiyosan]
I don't know about that, but music does have a significant effect on mentally disabled people. My brother-in-law is autistic and certain types of music either set him off on one or soothe him. I used to be in a military band which did concerts in handicapped homes and the patients used to love it. Perhaps with us so-called "normal" people our hearing is just not as sensitive to auditory perception which is why we are sceptical about its possible healing affect on others? [suewhitter]
Yes but autism is a completely different matter from cancer. In cancer you can feel as if you are slowly and painfully dissolving away. [naka75]
Music therapy is only part of the solution and should complement other forms of therapy, medicine, religious faith etc. Cancer is a complex disease which requires a holistic approach, medicine, music therapy, yoga etc as the external stimulus and religious faith as the inner strength to fight against it. Spending just only on music therapy is absurd because there is no evidence that music alone cures cancer. I hope your friend's mom would consider this advice as there's still hope in eradicating the disease. [naka75]
Music therapy can and does work. Not usually to cure the problem, but to help with the symptoms. I am currently in music therapy for manic depression. It won't get rid of the manic depression, it just makes it easier to handle and makes the symptoms less severe. [thunderofsins]
I believe in music therapy, because I think that music is one of the most important things, when I feel bad and it seems that always is wrong I listen to the music and I restart to smile..Don't forget the importance of music in life..bye, enjoy yourself.. [finuzzi]
wow..I've never heard of music therapy but it sounds pretty cool :] I'd just looked it up on wiki and it really does sound cool! music therapy...you should really go for it...though it does seem to require social-ish fields...so if you're not a real social person than...yeah...good luck on that! [chimex4real2k2]
if you love music you dont need medicine because you never get sick if you are true music lover. and for her cancer music may not cure her disese but at least make her last days worth living without pain [soorimd]
my sister in law is a music therapist. I've heard about her patients, and they get a lot out of the therapy. And, as far as therapy and medicine goes, no one's forcing anyone to pay. If it makes the patient feel better, go for it. Most medicine is placebo anyway. [MrCoolantSpray]
i tend to agree with you. musical therapy is fine for relaxing you and helping with the mental stress, but i'm afraid some people who are grasping at straws will try anything. I honestly hope that she will get better, and some people will get better just from the positive thinking, but not many. [samsonskola]