How Music Therapy Can Help Us Both Physically And Emotionally

Rajam Shanker is a music therapist with years of experience both in India and internationally. She tells us with some examples of how music therapy can help us both physically and emotionally.

We all understand what is music. It’s part of us from the time we are born. With the very first breath of life, the music of life starts – think of a newborn baby’s first cry. That’s how the lungs open up and the process of respiration starts.

Just like that, every kind of music has some or other therapeutic intervention. Leslie Bunt, the famous music therapist had this to say about music therapy: Use of sounds and music within an evolving relationship between client and therapist to support and encourage physical, mental and social-emotional wellbeing. Many people ask for popular film songs.

Important to note: While film songs are a popular choice, as an Indian Classical Music Therapist I do not, however, recommend the use of Film Songs for therapeutic intervention. Even though film songs are based largely on basic seven notes only, the songs do not follow single raaga usage or discipline. Every second line of the film song often changes Raaga, pitch and presentation to suit melodic entertainment value. 

Music Therapy has two methods – Music as medicine and music with medicine.

Here’s how Music as Medicine can help:

• Relaxation and Mood management

• For pain management when the client is not under the care of a physiotherapist

• For the wellness of senior citizens

• Stress reduction

• Untreated or undocumented depression

• Improve confidence and personality development

• Neurological disabilities

• Improve concentration

• Memory power

• Behaviour corrections

• Sleep disorders

• Increase positive energy.

Music with Medicine: How it can help play a supportive role

• Can help with post-traumatic stress disorder

• Physical loss such as terminal illness, loss of limbs, memory or senses

• Chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure

• Correct mental and emotional imbalance

• Improve neurological imbalance

• Manage depression

• Treat anxiety and anger

Here are some easy to adapt examples that anyone can follow, even without a background in music.

How music can help with stress and lack of concentration: Sometimes, stress can help to physical issues. For example, one of my clients, a young lady preparing for a competitive exam was upset by exam-related tension and a difficult situation at home. The stress reflected in lack of concentration, increased acidity and constipation in the mornings, resulting in weakness. Along with pranayama and meditation, I asked her to listen to morning ragas which would help her detox. Some of these were:

Raag Saaveri 

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Raag Lalit

The above was a case of stress leading to physical issues, in some cases, if the stress is disturbing emotionally, music can help in building mental strength.

Some raagas that would help when stress is affecting emotionally are:

Raag Yaman: Popular Hindi film songs Chandan sa badan and Kahi deep jale kahin dil are based on this raag. Also this famous bhajan by Lata Mangeshkar below. 

What are some physical conditions and issues that music therapy can help with that are common to senior citizens?

Insomnia: Darbari Kanada is one raag that helps with insomnia when it is not disease-related. If you are looking for music to play, flute works very well as it makes the heart (agitation in Anahata chakra disturbs the sleep) calm.

Raag Bihaag also works and one of my clients, a person 67 years of age has been helped by it. You can find examples on YouTube. Sharing one here:

If you are into Carnatic music, this may be helpful:

Music can help with overall wellbeing. Doctors often ask me what raag can they play before going in for surgery. Raagas can help in concentrating and in stressful conditions. I feel that to large extent listening to any kind of music gives us mental peace and relaxation, so definitely in the morning and evening make a practice of listening to music that soothes you physically, mentally and emotionally.

Music is like a tonic that can keep you in a balanced form especially in these uncertain times. Listen to music where you can get a good amount of sunlight open to the sky and preferably have something soothing to drink. Instrumentals can be very soothing (Veena, flute and even percussion instruments like tabla and mridangam are good) and are always best. So whenever you are getting into a negative mood or mental tension and agitated, music can help you divert your mind and change will come.

— As told to Reshmi Chakraborty