"Music--The Gift that Keeps Giving"

There are many benefits to using music. physiotherapist Dr Frances le Roux, who studied the use of music to improve the outcome in people with bronchitis and pneumonia being treated at her practice. Le Roux's used music in her treatment.
She was examining the effect of the music on the immune system, the endocrine system (hormonal changes), as well as the psychological state of the patients, and says the intervention showed significant change, positively influencing emotions, decreasing the stress hormone cortisol and improving immune markers.

A study conducted at Brunel University in England demonstrated that motivational music was able to enhance the endurance of those exercising on a treadmill up to 15%. They used music from Queen, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Madonna. It might be even more effective to choose the tempo of the music appropriately to the speed you want to exercise. Lively music can certainly help pump us up. I know I love using Let's Get Physical by Olivia Newton John when I workout and other music that helps keep my adrenalin pumping. -It helps. I have been told that some others feel the same way.

Use Music to Deal with Pain

Music and pain share the same neural pathways, according to Joanne Loewy, music therapist at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Ms Loewy presented her findings at a November meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in Philadelphia.

The result of this is it can reduce the pain that accompanies spinal taps, by occupying the neural pathways before the procedure begins so the patient doesn't feel pain. Isn't that useful information?

Mood Music helps the Emotions

I am sure each that every one of us has experienced music putting us in different moods. Some music might make us feel romantic, some music makes us want to get up and move, some music affects us by making us reminisce. I'm sure you've heard a song that brings you back to a certain time, place and feeling. I know I have.

If we are agitated we are able to listen to music that is capable of calming and relaxing us. If we are sad we are able to listen to music that is fun and has an upbeat and happy feel. If our get up and go has got up and gone, we can listen to music that will help motivate, or energizes us. Music is quite a phenomenon.

But, whether we want to implement a feeling or not-- anytime is a good time to listen and enjoy music.

Music has an effect on improving Behavior

I thought this was very interesting. In 2004, in London England, the British Transport Police played classical music in some of the most dangerous underground stations. These statistics were noted after 6 months:

1. Robberies were decreased by 33%.
2. Staff assaults decreased by 25%.
3. Vandalism went down 37%.

Here is another case study; in West Palm Beach in 2001 the police put a CD player and speakers on an abandoned building in a high crime area. After playing classical music 24 hours a day for about 3 months, shootings, loiterers, drug deals and thefts all decreased.

Pretty effective, wouldn't you say that music gives and gives?

It has been charted that the beat of music can affect our brain waves.

Music researchers are finding correlations between music making and some of the deepest workings of the human brain. Research has linked active music making with increased language discrimination and development, math ability, improved school grades, better-adjusted social behavior, and improvements in "spatial-temporal reasoning," - a cornerstone for problem solving.-from American Music Conference. That's pretty intense.

So,if you need a more positive state of mind, use music. If you need to intensify your learning skills, use music. If you are depressed or anxious, use music (if you add exercise to this equation you'll get even better results)

Music is also known to help with improving our immunity and- easing our muscle tension.

Is it any wonder that Music Therapy has come into its own? For more information on music therapy please go to the American Music Therapy Association's Site.

In the meantime, instead of reaching for another pill luxuriate by filling your heart and make it swell with good music. More than that -use music to boost your immune system and promote your wellness. It causes only joy.

I told you that music keeps giving and giving.

You and your family are worth investing in and listening to great music.