Music therapy: The sweet sound of spiritual healing

Most Pakistanis unaware of the mental health benefits of music: expert.

ISLAMABAD:

I've heard there was a secret chord

That David played, and it pleased the Lord

But you don't really care for music, do you?

The opening lines of Leonard Cohen’s famous song Hallelujah reflect an unfortunately popular sentiment in some segments of society. Music is generally considered a recreational tool, and not one for spiritual healing.

The reality is that listening to music helps improve memory, increases relaxation of muscles and helps release tension while also contributing to emotional health, according to health experts. “Rhythm in any form soothes nerves,” Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Head of Neurosurgery Prof Khaleequz Zaman said. He added that music activates cells in the brain releasing endorphins contributing to relaxation and happiness. There does not, however, seem to be any specific form of music that contributes to mental health.

The effects of music depend on the listener’s mood and the situation they’re passing through. Relating music to all these things does help a person relax, according to Zaman. Every musical instrument has its own significance and unique characteristics that contribute to an individual’s well-being.

Clinical Psychologist Qudsia Mehmood believes that while music therapy can do wonders for the nervous system and the body in general, the majority of Pakistanis are unaware of this. Music has been conclusively shown to contribute to stress therapy in psychotherapy. Fast tempo music puts aside worries forcing the listener to move with the beat; slow music on the other hand brings down one’s heart rate.

Music therapy is also contributing in treatments for anxiety-afflicted patients; instrumentals help them bring their stress levels down and breathe. Music therapy is also being used with autistic children or those with learning disabilities.

A psychologist, asking not to be named, said that terrorism and rising inflation rates in the country are contributing to citizens suffering from hypertension and depression. “Consequently for such people it may be better to spend some time listening to music. Listening to light music before going to bed contributes to a deep sleep,” he said.

The calming influence of music can be especially important for people seeking mental clarity, as it gives them the freedom, even when it all goes wrong, to stand and be judged, even if with nothing to say but Hallelujah.

(ORIGINAL LYRIC)

And even though it all went wrong

I'll stand before the Lord of Song

With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2012.