By Ed Lash
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There’s nothing quite like music to soothe, calm, and invigorate the human spirit. Music may not heal the damage caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), but it may help to prevent further damage and allow a person with MS to handle life better physically and emotionally with stress reduction and an improved attitude.
In a 2007 issue of the National MS Society’s newsletter, the following was written on MS pain: “While you and your physician investigate meds, pain specialists say it’s smart to add complementary therapies right away. Nerves can become habituated to pain, making the pain harder to control. Consider relaxation techniques, guided imagery, self-hypnosis, prayer, or music therapy.”
This was the first time I read about music therapy recommended for an MS symptom, so I called the MS office and asked if they had any other thoughts about music therapy, and was told they didn’t know of any. Let’s hope that music therapy will soon be found to help with other MS symptoms together with pain. Music has helped other people who did not have MS, but had MS-type symptoms, so let’s hope music will also help with other MS symptoms.
A few years ago, the Los Angeles Times published an article entitled “Exercising to music can make you smarter”. It reported that Dr. Charles Emery, associate professor of psychology and medicine at Ohio State University, studied 33 men and women, ages 38 to 76, who were finishing a cardiac rehabilitation program. This group was chosen because previous research had shown that cardiac patients may be prone to cognitive impairments. The subjects exercised for 20 minutes with no music, then again while listening to Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” selected for its upbeat tempo. After each session, they were given a verbal fluency test and asked to write a list of words starting with a specific letter. After exercising with no music, there was no change. With music, there was “statistically a huge effect,” Emery said, with subjects able to produce more words. He said that “One question would be to see if you can extend the effects over time with a longer intervention of music.”
Although exercise stimulates neurotransmitters in the brain, music serves to “organize cognitive output,” Emery said. If cognitive impairment is one of your MS symptoms, try music therapy. It may help.
At the Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center, patient’s can choose from over 9,000 musical selections to help speed their recoveries from a variety of illnesses and injuries. It is part of the Center’s efforts to create a new, holistic healing environment in which patients can benefit from the music’s healing properties together with medication.
Since music can enhance learning, creativity, and perhaps healing, make it a habit to enjoy your favorite tunes on a regular basis. It might just help improve your quality of life and your MS symptoms, whether on medication or not.
In my own case, I’ve always liked to dance with my wife. When we did quite a bit of it at a wedding or other occasion, my weak left MS leg responded very well so that both legs were good for 2 or 3 days. We didn’t have an occasion to dance very often, but now I do at least listen daily to the music I like, primarily tapes from the fifties. Most of the time, without me even realizing it, my head, toes, or heals are going slightly up and down with the beat of the music. And it does give me the incentive to do what I need to do, including my writing. When I read, write or do a puzzle, I usually play quiet background type music, and it works great.
Music therapy can temporarily bring dementia and Alzheimer’s patients back to reality and help them relate to their families. It may even reduce their need for medication. Often, patients who have lost verbal ability can still sing or make music.
Music therapists are trained musicians who create live music with patients. There are many colleges teaching music therapy, and these therapists are board certified. Their philosophy: “Music is a good medicine.” For more information about music therapy, contact American Music Therapy Association at 301-589-3300, or visit www.musictherapy.org.
Note: Self-help is not intended to replace medical treatment, but should be used together with the help of all appropriate professionals in a team effort.
Ed Lash is a United Spinal member who lives in Trumbull, Connecticut. For more information, or to order his book (Multiple Sclerosis – A Patient’s View – $13.95)) call 203-445-0118 or e-mail him at: elash@unitedspinal.org.
