By Miki Kumada

Music Therapy Relaxes Tension, Helps Cure Many Medical Ills

By Miki Kumada

If you are searching for relaxation amid the crunch of city life, there are many ways available today ― massage, shiatsu (finger-pressure therapy), aromatherapy, communing with nature, soothing in a whirlpool bath etc. But there is one way to relax from daily stress without spending much money, which is perhaps the easiest way of all. That is "music therapy."

Yamano Music, a major record store in Tokyo's Ginza district, has a full lineup of so-called "relaxation music." About 3,000 titles are available. The store's recommendations include melodious instrumental music, ethnic music, natural sounds from the bottom of the sea, and the cries of dolphins and whales. There are some trendy CDs designed to induce alpha waves in listeners and also instrumental music recorded with subliminal effects or messages.

Miki Nakajima, a sales person at Yamano's relaxation music counter on the third floor, said, "Such instrumental CDs have constant sales. From young workers in their 20s to the elderly in their 70s, many people regardless of age or sex visit our counter." Nearly 100 CDs are sold per day, especially on weekends, Nakajima said.

When looking around the shelves of relaxation music, people can find lots of unique titles. Special CDs offer help for dieting, better sleep, more good luck, better relationships with colleagues, curing constipation, easing stiff shoulders, improving golf scores, having a successful marriage, and on and on.

One woman in her late 20s, who was having a try at listening to the music therapy selections, said, "I'm curious about this kind of CD, but I don't expect any quick and drastic effect. I do think it is a good way to relax after my job, though, and it's cheaper than getting a massage."

But how effective is this kind of music in easing stress? Do physicians have clinical proof? Akira Komatsu, secretary-general of the Japanese Federation of Music Therapy, responds, "Unfortunately, I can't say definitely." Komatsu, who often organizes conferences on music therapy, says, "Whether it is effective or not greatly depends on the individual's receptivity toward the music. If someone says enka music gives him a great effect, for example, it still may not work for you if you don't like enka yourself. It's extremely difficult to predict therapeutic and psychological reactions to given musical pieces."

The Japanese Federation of Music Therapy has more than 1,300 members, mostly doctors and nurses. It promotes clinical research on music therapy from a medical standpoint and tries to get music therapy recognized as a valid treatment by the medical world.

There are some who criticize the wide variety of relaxation CDs because of the lack of clinical proof. However, Komatsu said, "I don't think there is anything to be suspicious about. Music therapy has no bad side effects, either."

Since ancient times, in fact, music therapy has been used. Religious music, such as hymns and chants, is music therapy in a broad sense. People recover their peace of mind by singing or listening to hymns while worshipping.

A 1950s concept, which holds good to this day, was developed by Edward Podolsky, an American psychologist and psychopathologist. He systematized what kinds of music are effective for which kinds of illnesses. For example, he discovered that the prelude to "William Tell," by the Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini, has a beneficial effect on those suffering from depression. And the "Coffee Cantata," by the German composer Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, works well for the mentally deranged.

Podolsky's long prescription slip of music therapy still influences modern medical circles in the world. But because of his poor clinical background, the mainstream of music therapy has gradually shifted from "receptive music therapy" (listening to music) to "active music therapy" (playing an instrument).

Since music therapy was introduced into Japan in the early 1980s, active music therapy has been the mainstream. This therapy is most often applied in three fields ― medical treatment, education and social welfare. Doctors get patients to play an instrument in order to stimulate their physical and mental functions. This treatment works well for the handicapped, for autistic children, and for the elderly who are becoming mentally weak.

Recently, however, the Japanese medical world has been entering into a new phase. An increasing number of doctors have begun to introduce receptive music therapy. Surgeons, for example, apply music to patients before, during and after surgical operations to ease their tensions and anxieties. Obstetricians, dentists, pediatricians, and specialists in charge of terminal care are also adopting the therapy.

Komatsu says, "Music is not a medicine. It's clear we cannot expect quick results from music the way we do from medicines. But if combined with other medical treatment, I believe music is certainly effective."



Shukan ST: Sept. 13, 1996

(C) All rights reserved