Music is the healer, no matter who you are. Sounds and harmonies tickle the most delicate structures of our brains and spirits, driving us to uplifting realms and helping us cope with the sometimes unbearable lightness of being. According to new studies, music helps patients recover from surgery.
This is not the first study which approached the beneficial effects of music, earlier analysis has revealed that individuals with epileptic seizures can be helped to better cope with pain, through the musical harmonies.
A recent research has revealed that listening to music before, during and after surgery reduces people’s pain, anxiety and need for painkillers, according to the most extensive review of available evidence.
The study has involved almost 7000 patients and the findings confirmed the link between music in the OR and a significant reduction in postoperative pain, postoperative anxiety and need for postoperative pain relief medication. No wonder those star doctors in the Emergency Room series and Chicago Hope were listening to music while performing delicate and complex surgeries on patients. Music relaxes our muscles, helps us better focus on any kinds of tasks and eases the pain in our brains, which most of the times radiates to our bodies.
Music has the unique capacity to penetrate our inner structures and immerse them in ease and lightness. To come up with the findings, researchers have analyzed data on adult patients undergoing a variety of surgical procedures, with or without anesthesia to any part of the body. The only exceptions to the general rule of the benefits of music were surgery on the central nervous system, head and neck, all related to a potential hearing impairment.
Music is highly effective even when patients are under general anesthetic, according to the recent results published in a medical journal. Harmonies are a universal treatment for pain, whether it comes from our bodies or from our souls. Musicians play with some larger than life structures, build-up new dimensions for understanding, managing and acting upon everything in life that brings pain.
Scientists are planning for a follow-up on the research, with a pilot scheme to introduce music into operative settings at The Royal London Hospital. The two areas targeted are women with Caesarean sections and women who have hysteroscopy.
This is the first time a study encourages the use of music as a routine intervention in surgical practice. Play that funky music, white boy!
Image Source: technorati.com
