Music and yoga for pain relief
Music is making news in the world of modern medical science.
After I talked about a British study in my last blog a study has established that listening to soothing classical music can reduce chronic pain by upto 21% and depression by 25%. There have been studies earlier, too, that show that patients exposed to music of their choice experience less intense pain and hence use far lower doses of painkillers than those who prefer silence.
According to the director of a coronary heart unit of a US hospital, half an hour of classical music produces the same effect as 10 milligram of Vallium. An Arts Council has reported that the patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis found significant reduction in pain after listening to their favourite music for 20 minutes. Even singing was shown to increase the quality of life of the patients suffering from progressive dementia.
The music magic has also been reported to help you exercise more effectively, perform stressful tasks, be less aggressive, eat less and shop differently. Thus dieters have been advised to listen to Mozart or Enya, as they are slow and soothing, for the meal times. Those with high BP have been advised to try Fur Elise by Beethovan. Studies show the music can lower BP and stabilize the heart rate. Another study discovered that short bursts of Mozart’s Sonata K448 decreased epileptic attacks.
Theories about how music works the way it does abound. The one doing the rounds most is that music helps increase production of endorphins.
Mine and a number of others’ experience with yoga in matters of pain, stress and depression have been similar. Aalom Vilom, one of the breathing exercises particularly I have found works within a few minutes to half an hour to give relief in case of pain and stress.
Our findings point to the increased levels of endorphins and cortisones in our body after a session of pranayama, the breathing exercises, which work to bring relief in pain, stress and a number of other conditions.
Add comment November 7th, 2006 Written By: lalitgambhir