THE POWER OF MUSIC

Music is the harmonies sounds that have been used in various ways since the humanity’s beginning. In its long history, people used music in different fields. Sure, they used it for health as well. Music mostly affects psychology in health. Music is used for many psychology treatments. Psychology studies human behavior and daily life. For example, many people listen music when they work. This is a part of their daily life. There are some studies on music and health. One study shows that people work better when they listen to music that they like. Music helps them focus more. It also make their work more productive. There is another study on children. Children who play an instrument or listen to music can focus easier. They can keep their atention longer time. Music also increases motivation. It can help people reach their weight goals. In daily life, many people listen to music to relax. Slow songs can help reduce stress. Scientists say the rhythm of music and the rhythm of heart become similar. They are not exactly same but they move together. When people listen slow music, their heartbeat becomes slower. The person feels calmer. Doctors sometimes play classical music during birth or surgery.

Music also helps people feel positive emotions. Melodic and rhythmic music can make people feel happy. Dancing with music is also helpful. The body releases endorphins. They are happiness hormones. Music can help people with problems like anxiety and depression. Music also helps when people start the day. Fast and energetic songs make our heart beat faster. Blood moves faster in our body. This helps our body get ready for the day. Music is also used in treatment of some diseases. For example depression, anxiety, stress, schizophrenia, panic attack and post traumatic stress disorder. Music is also used for autism, Alzheimer disease, Dementia, high blood pressure, chronic pain, heart diseases and paralysis. One study looks at a method which is called Rhythmic Auditory Simulation (RAS). This method helps motor functions in neurological rehabilitation. Music is very important for people with autism. It improves communication and social skills. Music reduces anxiety of children with cancer. It also helps children accept treatment. Music therapy improves memory of people with Dementia, Alzheimer and Parkinson. It also increases social interaction. Music is also used for pain control. Some studies show that music therapy reduces patients' pain. 

Ancient civilizations also used music therapy. Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, China and Greece used music for healing. Music therapy was also important in Islamic history and Ottoman period. One important name is Farabi. He wrote a book which named as Kitabu’l-Musiqi’l-Kebir (The Great Book of Music). In his book he explained how music modes affect people. For example Rast mode makes people calmer. Nihavend mode gives more energy. Another important thinker is Ibn Sina. In his book El-Kanun fi’t-Tıbb (The Canon of Medicine) he says music can help treat mental and physical diseases. His studies say music helps emotional balance. It regulates heart rhythm. It reduces sleep problems and anxiety.  

Music therapy was common in Seljuk and Ottoman hospitals. They named these hospitals “darüşşifa”. In these places doctors used music in treatment. They also used water sounds and nice smells. One famous example is the darüşşifa in Edirne. Sultan Bayezid II built this place in 1448. Today it is a health museum. In these hospitals, the music modes changes for different illnesses. For example, they used Rast mode for paralysis and seizures, Rehavi mode for headaches, Zengule mode for heart diseases and Isfahan mode for clear thinking. 

Modern music therapy started in the middle of the 20th century. Today, it is a professional field. There are four main methods in modern music therapy. 

Improvisation: The therapist and the client make music and create a song together. 

Listening music: The therapist chooses music for the client. The music help relaxation, stress control and heart rhythm.

 Song writing: The client writes songs and express feelings. This method is very useful for depression.

 Playing instruments: This method improves motor skills in physical illnesses like paralysis. Some people are pioneers in music therapy. 

Helen Bonny created the Guided Imagery and Music method. Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins created the Nordoff-Robbins Creative Music Therapy model. Mary Priestley created Analytical Music Therapy. Juliette Alvin created the Free Improvisation model. Dr. Deforia Lane worked with cancer patients. Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin used different music modes for psychiatric illnesses

In the future, music can have bigger place in the health field. More studies should be done in this area. Music therapy can become more common and more professional. This can help music therapy’s development. 

References Acilci.net. (2022, October 17th). Müzik ve şifa: Tarih, bilim ve klinik perspektif. 

https://acilci.net/muzik-ve-sifa-tarih-bilim-ve-klinikperspektif/

 Evrim Ağacı. (2023, May 22th). Müzik adrenalin salgılaƨr mı? Klap hızımızı değiştirir mi?

 https://evrimagaci.org/blog/muzik-adrenalinsalgilatir-mi-kalp-hizimizi-degistirir-mi-21092

Fizy. (2023). Sesin şifası: Müziğin beden ve ruh üzerindeki faydaları.

 https://www.fizy.com/blog/sesin-sifasi-muzigin-beden-ve-ruhuzerindeki-faydalari-237087840377/ 

Hayrendiş. (2021, February 10th). Osmanlı’da müzikle tedavi. https://www.hayrendis.com/osmanlida-muzikle-tedavi/ Quora. (2018).

 Does your heartbeat actually sync to the rhythm of music you’re listening to? https://www.quora.com/Does-yourheartbeat-actually-synch-to-the-rythym-of-music-youre-listening-to Yeditepe Hastaneleri. (n.d.). Müzik terapi.

 https://yeditepehastaneleri.com/saglik-rehberi/ruh-sagligi/muzikterapi