What is Therapeutic Music?

Live therapeutic music is recognized as good medicine that enhances the healing process for those who are dealing with sickness or injury, and for the dying. The body relaxes, respiration calms and becomes stable, anxiety dissipates, emotions release. Patients may even drift off to sleep. The music is a service that is focused and tailored to each individual patient.

Live therapeutic music can reduce the need for pain medication, allow more effective responses to medical treatment, and enhance the self-healing work of the immune system. It can benefit those with high blood pressure, respiration difficulties, pain and anxiety; those who are sedated, comatose, or near death; those acutely or chronically ill, those with neurological problems, and premature babies.

Live music before, during or after surgery can shorten recovery time. It can help birthing mothers have more effective labor, and pre-mature infants, thrive. It can help the dying release from struggle, and those living with Alzheimer’s disease recover memories and a sense of wholeness, presence, and calm.

What Kinds of Music?

Music may be familiar or unfamiliar, structured (as written melodies) or improvised, using rhythmic or arrhythmic tempos, depending on the situation and the patient’s needs. It may be in different modes, and reflect different moods.  Lisa's repertoire spans hundreds of melodic songs from the last century and from many styles and cultures.  

What is a Certified Music Practitioner?

A Certified Music Practitioner brings live acoustic therapeutic music to those who are sick or dying. The music is not a performance, but a service. CMP’s are trained to provide music appropriate to the particular condition of the patient. They modify melody, mode, rhythm and dynamics as they observe the patient’s facial expression, skin tone, body position and tension, respiration and heart rate. They offer an unobtrusive support to promote emotional and physical well-being. They work differently from Music Therapists, who seek to rehabilitate or cure. Music Practitioners require no response from the patient, but seek to create an environment conducive to healing.

 

The effectiveness of live therapeutic music is well-documented in a number of published studies. Though how it produces these effects is not completely understood, the research confirms substantial benefits.

 
 
 

Singing in Hospitals

Lisa has sung for patients in an Intensive Care Unit, where staff are constantly responding to crisis. Patients are attached to life support and monitoring equipment, and families are tense, exhausted and frightened. Soothing melodies at the bedside, and the calm, quiet singing presence bring relief to staff and comfort to families and patients alike.  A man still unconscious has his blood pressure drop to normal. A young woman in pain falls asleep.

Lisa has sung for a woman in acute pain, waiting to be examined in the emergency room, and she said she “floated away.”  Lisa has sung for a newborn whose breathing was irregular, and it stabilized.  Lisa has sung for a woman on suicide watch, and she exulted, “give me your power songs!”

Singing in Hospice

Hospice provides a reprieve from the rigors of medical rescue. Nurses and care-givers monitor and support the patient and his family, as he lives and transitions to dying.  The live music also transitions, as Lisa attunes to the patient’s condition. Lisa watches and accompanies him as he leaves.  Gradually, rhythm and tempo shift. Melodies are intuitive and open-ended.  Lisa sings gently to help release.

Singing in Memory Care

"Music is part of being human.…. we hum a tune, tap our feet, find the words of an old song going through our minds, and think nothing of it.  But to those who are lost in dementia, the situation is different.  Music is no luxury to them, but a necessity, and can have a power beyond anything else to restore them to themselves, and to others, at least for a while.”

-Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia 

Music is good medicine for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, especially in the later stages.  Jim, who speaks little, remembers all the words of a long, funny song from his youth, and we sing it boisterously together. A song her mother and sisters sang makes Susan laugh out loud. 

Live familiar music engages, and creates a sense of belonging, a sense of self, and a closer connection with family and caregivers. Often, it triggers memories, even a revival as the person comes to life, family members catch a glimpse of the one they knew before the disease took over.  They reach out in affection, and their loved one responds.

“Your time with [my dad] was such a powerful, warm and personal interaction. [Dad] was energized for a day, maybe two after each weekly time with you. It was wonderful for him and valued by us. I can't say thank you to an iPod, but I can to you. Thanks for being part of our caring for my dad.”

-Lisa's client's son

 
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Song Circles in Long-Term Care

In Memory Care, a song circle can transform anger, anxiety and confusion.  The first few who sing can stimulate others, and change the mood of the whole group. Even the quiet ones may draw close.  One who screams may be quieted.  One who is confused may calm as he begins to sing. A lovely bass voice brings smiles and admiration, as it resonates down the hall. When the song circle finishes, an aide stops to give Lisa a hug. The aide's job has become lighter, too. In the presence of live music, the whole atmosphere of the unit lightens. 

For those with physical disabilities, song circles break the isolation, creating community, lifting spirits and providing a sense of accomplishment. People find themselves having fun, encouraging each other, seeing one another in new ways.   

Someone takes over leading Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long.” Someone even launches into a solo.  

Mary says,

"It's one of the best things that happens around here. For an hour we forget whatever burdens we carry, whatever frustrates or saddens us, and just experience joy!"