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| decreased growth when exposed to the primordial sounds of sama veda (traditional Indian) music as compared to increased growth when exposed to hard rock music. 8 |
| Music is also a wonderful tool to alleviate the anxiety and pain surrounding surgery and other medical procedures. Studies are beginning to appear showing the positive results of soothing music on the healing process.9,10 |
| Although I do not currently use music therapy in my practice, if I were diagnosed with cancer, one of the first things I would turn to would be musicspecifically jazz. There aren't too many things that would make me feel better than listening to Bill Evans, John Coltrane, or a group like Weather Report. Music is an important part of my life. |
| As both an herbalist and a bass player, I see a beautiful congruence between music and herbs. Each is unique to the momentno two musical performances are ever exactly alike, and so it is with the world of herbs and their unique ability to heal when blended in accordance with the needs of the patient. Second to jazz, some type of spiritual music would be my choicemusic for the soul. Spiritual music can help one center on prayer and has a profound effect on healing. |
| Combining soothing sounds with the uplifting smells of aromatherapy creates a wonderful synergistic effect. Imagine combining the morning sounds of birds chirping with the fragrance of your favorite flower essenceylang-ylang, rose, lavender, or perhaps tangerine if you are suffering from nausea. |
| My vision for a natural healing center would offer not only the best botanical and nutritional medicine, acupuncture, massage, organically grown food, and hydrotherapy, but music and sound therapy, aromatherapy, and most of all, love and compassion. |
| Massage |
| Massage therapists are among our most effective healers. Just touching a person can have a tremendous healing effect. As tense muscles begin to relax during a massage, a great deal of the emotional stress that caused the physical tightness in the first place can be released, at least temporarily. Cancer patients frequently feel isolated and alone; the healing touch of a massage therapist does more than soothe aching muscles, it provides much-needed emotional comfort as well. I consider massage an important part of any natural healing protocol. |
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