By Ernest Leong
Washington, DC
10 August 2006
watch Music Relief from Pain
There's an old saying, "music hath charms to soothe the savage breast." A new study has revealed that soothing musical notes are also an effective medicine.
Marion Good plays piano for a hobby
Marion Good loves to play the piano. As a professor of nursing at Case Western Reserve University, Good discovered playing also offers pain relief. "I have for about 15, 20 years, have been testing music with post-operative patients. I found that music does reduce pain up to about 31 percent in my studies -- in addition to medicines."
Jane Suresky listened to music while recoverying from knee surgery
While recovering from knee surgery, Good's colleague Jane Suresky tried a variation -- listening to music. Suresky says music helped wean her off pain medication. "I had to give it [medicine] up once I got to the pre-operative area and I gladly turned it over because I wanted it when I was finished."
A recent analysis combining 51 clinical studies confirms Good's findings -- patients exposed to music said their pain was less intense, and used lower doses of painkillers.
Jane Suresky
Good says music therapy has other benefits, too. "We found that music reduced pain, reduced anxiety, reduced depressive symptoms and reduced pain disability."
Whether playing or listening, it seems music -- like laughter -- is the best medicine.
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