This is part eleven of my blog posts where I describe music therapy interactions I've had that are indicative of why music is so healing, meaningful, enriching and sometimes life changing!
This
post describes a music therapy session with another hospice patient,
an elderly man who, when I first met him, was actively dying. At a
nursing facility where I was seeing other patients our hospice social
worker and RN mentioned to this man's family that, if they desired,
the music therapist could visit for comfort care. More specifically,
music therapy to act as a positive diversion from anxiety as the man was in/out of
anxious/fretful consciousness. As mentioned, a family member, his
niece was present.
After
playing soft, slow religious music that the niece requested, I
decided to try something that I have never done before. During the soft
music the niece was standing over the head of the bed caressing and
thoughtfully massaging her uncle's head and neck. I told her that I
would stand next to her (with her at the head of the bed) and softly sing
Amazing Grace, a song she knew. I said “as I sing, you sing (or
hum) softly
with me as you massage your uncle...” The idea is that as
the niece sang or hummed, vibrations generated from her voice and
chest cavity will be felt by her uncle through her arms down to her
finger tips, not to mention him being able to feel and sense the
spirit of the song, her love and energy, etc. She welcomed this. Her
uncle was further comforted and the niece was very engaged and
pleased with being able to personally comfort her dying uncle with
song.
Lets
now look specifically at music and sound's vibrational aspect...
---
First of all, the smallest part of our universe, atoms, are made up of
VIBRATING electrons.
---
Scientists know that our earth, vibrating on it's axis, produces an
overtone or sound frequency which is (actually) 7.49 hz. The
following description below is from:
http://www.lunarplanner.com/Harmonics/planetary-harmonics.html
“The
7.8 Hz. Schumann fundamental frequency is quite close to Earth's 7.5
Hz. circumference harmonic (calculated using the speed of light at
Earth's surface)...” So vibrations from our earth are acting upon
as at all times.
---
As
rhythm consists of organized vibrations, know that our hearts beat rhythmically, we breath, walk and talk
rhythmically...
---
And one of the oldest forms of music, Toning, which is thousands of
years old, and even precedes sacred music, relies on the vibrational
aspects of vocal production (not singing as we know it) to benefit
individuals and groups. All cultures, except our western culture
have used Toning for healing, grieving, praying, wellness, etc. SeeMT Toning 1, 2, 3 in Resource Center at the bottom left of my home pgfor a description of Toning.
So, "Why live
music??"... To take advantage of the vibrational aspects of
music and sound. Also, because we don't have to be a talented singer
(as described above) individuals can vocalize or utilize vibrational
sounds for health and wellness benefits personally and/or for others, i.e. Toning.
To do what I did above??? Lets say you have an ill loved one... put
on their favorite music, and as you massage them sing or hum softly
with the music. The vibratory effects
from your vocalizations will affect them! It's wonderful!!! You will both benefit.
As
a reminder the main thrust of the music therapy/childbirth lecture is
to support moms (and dads) as they put together their own music
listening playlists or CDs to support rhythmic breathing, act as a
positive diversion from pain and stress, etc., to be used during
labor and delivery.
Also,
I'm looking forward to recording my second music album this year.
This is music for child development, autism and special needs. As a
reminder, one song, “High 5,” from David's Basics in Education
(music album #1) is still a free download for a limited time.
In
upcoming posts I will continue with other
music therapy/health and wellness related blog posts.
My
prescription this week???
Go
to the Toning info described above and “give it a whirl!” (MTToning 1, 2, 3 in Resource Center at the bottom left of my home pg)
At
the very least it relieves head, neck and shoulder tension and is a
wonderful, pro-active way to meditate, pray and to take care of
yourself. Hmmmmmm................
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