Frequently Asked Questions

What is Therapeutic Music?

Therapeutic music is live music administered by a trained professional that is specifically tailored to the patient's immediate needs. It is a complimentary healing modality based on the science of sound.

Who benefits from Therapeutic Music?

Persons experiencing life transitions such as birthing and dying, and those experiencing illness, injury, physical and/or emotional pain greatly benefit from therapeutic music. This includes babies in NICU, patients in hospice care, those recovering from strokes or other traumatic brain injuries, adults and children coping with life threatening or emotional crisis. Facility staff and family members also benefit from the music.

What are the benefits of therapeutic music?

Can include but not limited to:

  • Stabilization of vital signs

  • Relieving body and mental tension

  • Aids in achieving deep relaxation response

  • Distracting and disassociation of present situation

  • Refocusing attention

  • Anxiety reduction

  • Altering sense of time

  • Pain reduction and perception

  • Accelerating physical healing

  • Easing birth delivery process

  • Aiding mental focus in memory care patients

  • Easing dying during transition

  • Bridging communication between loved ones

Why is live music preferred?

There is no substitute for personal attention and the healing presence of a caregiver. A certified therapeutic musician is trained to immediately modify the music to best meet the patient’s needs in the current moment. Live acoustic music contains a richer spectrum of vibrations and harmonics because it is not compressed and digitized like recorded music.

How does therapeutic music promote healing?

Healing is a holistic view of human health pertaining to all aspects of the human being - mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness. Because music affects the whole-person on all levels, it is inherently appropriate for medicine. In the last twenty-five years, the study of '“the brain on music” has resulted in research proving the profound impact of music on emotions, cognition and physical health. The field of psychoneuroimmunology is the study of the interrelationship of the mind and its connection to the immune system through the body’s communication systems. When a person is in a deeply relaxed state, beta-endorphins are produced, which promote healing. When this state is achieved through music exposure, it is called audioanalgesia. Music also has an effect on cortisol, neutrophil and lymphocyte production.

Entrainment is a powerful concept in therapeutic music. Entrainment can enhance well-being by aligning rhythmic patterns in music with the natural rhythmics of the body and mind. Certified therapeutic musicians incorporate entrainment techniques into their therapy sessions which lead to improved physical and emotional health outcomes.

What is the investment return for a facility employing therapeutic musicians?

  • Therapeutic music sessions increase patient satisfaction which contributes to higher assessment scores.

  • Faster healing can result in higher patient turnover.

  • Staff exposure to therapeutic music can reduce staff turnover.

  • Providing therapeutic music shows compliance with EP2 in The Joint Commission Pain Management Standards.

  • Adding therapeutic music programs to your facilities offerings can result in increased publicity.

  • Conducting research on the benefits of live, acoustic music at the bedside can result in grant money and recognition.