Full Circle Digital Magazine October 2013 | Page 18

music, the healer M U SI C • T H E H E A L E R Simon’s Town medical practitioner and composer/conductor, Dr Steven van der Merwe was recently awarded a master’s degree in music (M.Mus) cum laude from the NMMU. Steven values both his talents of music and medicine in the healing process. Inspired by all the enthralling research going into music as a healing tool, he hopes to combine these modalities more actively in his compositions and conducting as well as his D.Mus studies in 2014. The Ancients (e.g. Pythagoras) believed that “music influences the rhythm of the human thoughts, the melody of human emotions, and the harmony of ones bodily health and manner of movement”. Music was thought to determine the manner of our thoughts and actions. Aristotle said that “emotions of any kind may be produced by melody and rhythm; therefore by music a man becomes accustomed to feeling the right emotions...” We are all aware of the “secret” power of music in our lives: music by which we fell in love; music that scared us witless in a horror movie; music that brought us to tears when we were longing for someone, or music that calmed us down after huge stress in our lives. Music also has profound healing properties. A large amount of research is being performed and published in respected journals to support this. Dr Francis le Roux (physiotherapist) dedicated her doctoral thesis (Ph.D) to the study of this concept, and her results published in 2005 showed that music, in this instance Bach’s Magnificat (communicating happiness and divine love), can improve immunity (CD4+:CD8+ ratio), as well as decrease the stress hormone Cortisol. This was shown to lead to a decrease in depression; anger and anxiety related to infectious lung conditions – therefore assisting healing. Other research has proven to be beneficial for patients in ICU; patients receiving chemotherapy; patients with depression and generalized anxiety and much more. Music works on different parts of the brain and body chemistry. Research in 1984, showed that alpha waves in the brain (linked to relaxation) are stimulated by music and these waves will then dominate the problem solving Hands on Chiropractic Longbeach Physiotherapy 15 Carlton Close, Longbeach Business Village Tel/Fax: [phone] [email protected] Care of musculoskeletal conditions Pain management Dry needling/acupuncture Sports & recurrent injury rehabilitation Ergonomic & postural correction Pilates classes • Chest treatment • Home visits Adult & child rehabilitation Gross & fine motor co-ordination problems FOR A FREE SUBSCRIPTION Response to life Dr. Barry Birkett and Dr. Régine Legrand • 20 years of practice in the Valley • Holistic Family Health Care • Chiropractic & Response to Life Treatments • Baby Chiro Care Enjoy our relaxing garden environment, Koi pond & refreshments Tel: [phone] Bermuda Drive, Wingate Heights, Sunnydale www.chiropractorcapetown.co.za FULL CIRCLE DIGITAL MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2013