Rev. Steven Spidell, DMin2, BCC, is the Executive Director of Presbyterian Outreach to Patients, and has contributed this guidance describing the benefits of music:

For many people, music is a natural part of our lives. We listen to music on the radio or mp3 player. We go to concerts. Music is an expression of worship. As background, entertainment, or concentrated attention, music is a consistent element in life.

Music can be for more than enjoyment. Music has a power to heal our bodies, minds, and spirits. Remember of the story of King Saul and how music calmed him during his bad spells?
Let our lord now command your servants who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. It shall happen, when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well. I Samuel 16:16

As we learn more about the energy fields in which we live, the power of music to affect those fields is being understood. As William Congreve put it, “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.”

Deepak Chopra wrote, “The body is held together by sound—the presence of disease indicates that some sounds have gone out of tune." Research is indicating that music has some strong healing influence over illness. Music

• supports a healthy immune system


• reduces pain, nausea, stress, and anxiety


• promotes positive mood changes


• alters brain state


• improves a sense of being centered and balanced


• synchronizes mind-body rhythms, produces positive physiological states: improves respiration, lowers blood pressure, improves cardiac function, reduces heart rate, relaxes muscle state


• increases a feeling of hope


• expands creativity and the expression of feelings*

When a person is ill, it makes sense to draw on many approaches to healing and recovery. Music can contribute to positive heath effects across the broad range of mind, body, and spirit. Remember to include the sounds of music in your treatment plan.

*The Pulse. The Newsletter of Presbyterian Outreach to Patients. Vol. VI, No. 2. June, 2007.