It certainly is an interesting concept that many folks may have thought of only rarely, - if at all.

The author of a little leaflet, that recently came my way, posited a unique theorem. This (in my opinion) charlatan was in the business of selling (in Drug Stores) "mood altering" music CDs to gullible people. The claim was that music should be a part of something referred to as a "wellness" program.

It was not specifically stated, but rather inferred, that Music could "heal" some vague problems. Simply put, his 'theory' was:
    1. Adding a "meaningful activity" to life helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
    2. Adding a 'meaningful activity' is a person's individual decision.
    3. "Active Music Listening" is a "meaningful activity" that an individual can add.

Up to this point, we couldn't agree more. The pamphlet then went on to describe the various ways in which Music can help an individual. It was claimed that Music relieves stress; controls emotional responses; improves productivity (sic); and can increase intellectual prowess.

To back up the claim, various musical attributes were stated -most true- thus re-inforcing a gullible person's assumption that music can 'heal'. The key word here is "HEAL". To the best of this writer's knowledge, music can't "heal" anything, and so, one should be careful is the use of that term.

However, much of what the pamphlet said is definitely worth considering:
Music relieves stress by
    * Providing a predictable, and "secure" environment (thus facilitating mental comfort).
    * Inducing feelings of well being.
    * Decreasing physical responses, such as heart rate and respiration. (Calming)
    * Inducing and maintaining relaxation once it occurs.
    * Bringing order to chaotic situations.
    * Providing a break from frenetic activity.
Helps emotionally by
    * Adding enjoyment to life
    * Shifting one's mood from blue or blah to more upbeat
    * Providing connections with others through memories or common experiences
    * Provide common ground through shared music preferences
    * Fostering feelings of comfort and familiarity
Improves productivity by
    * Stimulating physical responses, such as increased heart rate and respiration that results in feelings of more energy.
        A sort of double-edged sword. Music can RELEASE STRESS by decreasing
        physical responses, (see Releases Stress above) or INCREASE STRESS
        by increasing physical responses. ( So be very, very careful when choosing
        to play "Moon Over Miami" or Benny Goodman's "Sing Sing Sing"! ) ;)
    * Marking significant events and life milestones (how this affects productivity was not
       made clear).
    * Shifting undesirable feelings to more pleasant ones.
    * Providing an arousal, -thus facilitating increased activity.
Expands one's intellectual function
   (The pamphlet claimed this function, but did not define "expands one's intellect" (but did list the below.)
    * Be an important component of one's lifestyle
    * Mark significant life events
    * Awaken memories and associations
    * Match feelings and hold them, if so desired.

Much of this seems true, some, a little, does not. For example, I seriously doubt that music can expand one's intellect, still it can certainly increase or decrease physical responses. Sitting in a movie theater, there is no doubt that the background music can either raise or lower the listener's Stress Level. (Idle thought: Does background music cause stress - or is it the Screen Images of, say, a madman slaughtering some innocent(s) ?? )

Music certainly affects our emotions --- lots and lots of emotions -- as attested to by listening to such songs as "The Tango Of Love", "She's Only a Bird In A Gilded Cage", "Black and Blue", and "One O'Clock Jump". (Or to Dvorak's "New World Symphony", Chopin's "Grand Polonaise", Tchaikovsky's "Capriccio Italien", or Ravel's " Pavanne for a Dead Princess".)

Long ago, factory owners came to realize the importance of Music in increasing productivity. Many, if not most, factories today provide "soothing" background music.

Music +may+ have some positive medical value -in the treatment of various psychoses and in severe mental depression- because of it's ability to promote mood changes. Still it seems doubtful that music can heal any physical (or mental) ailment.

But it does bear pointing out again that life without Music would be unbearable. Aside from the sheer enjoyment, music does have an important role in the Stress management of an individual's life. And, to give the devil his due, the article did point out that Music should be combined with good nutrition and healthy execise to improve one's lifestyle.

Since the above was written (a few years ago), a news report has appeared (ca. Feb. 2002) on this subject.
Researchers now feel that a little "soft" Jazz - or maybe Ocean Waves - piped into an Operating Room, - along with whispers of encouragement from the doctors and nurses might help post-surgery patients to get back on their feet.

A Swedish team of researchers led by Ulrica Nilsson, MD, of Orebro Medical Center Hospital, have found that patients who were soothed by music and words of comfort during surgery have less pain and fatigue during their recovery.

The team confirmed that the Brain is aware of sounds even when the patient is anesthetized. (These findings were reported in the journal Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica.

Still, One wonders. Are all of the thousand words above simply a "modern" form of the older homily -'Music Hath Charms That Soothe the Savage Soul' ?