Palliative Care Conversations

Therapeutic Harp By Ann Bewley, Ph.D. Music as a Therapeutic Modality The beneficial relationship between music and healing has been well established for centuries. Documents dating back to 1500 BC depict Egyptian physicians employing music for healing the sick. In ancient Greece, Pythagoras taught his students ways in which certain musical notes, chords, and melodies could induce physical responses in the body. Twelfth-century abbess and physician Hildegard von Bingen employed treatments that are much like those now advocated by modern practitioners of holistic medicine. The use of music as a tool for healing continued in Europe through the 17th century until it began to fall out of favor during the dawn of the Age of Reason. However, current scientific research into the effectiveness of complementary therapies is providing new evidence that music can assist and effect healing. Music can alter brain and body chemistry and affect physiological rhythms such as pulse rate and breathing.

Aromatherapy and Acupunture may be used as complementary treatments that enhance the health care received from a physician or hospital. Aromatherapy Aromatherapy is a noninvasive method of healing based on the therapeutic use of essential oils. Essential oils are highly-concentrated, non-oily, subtle, volatile liquid steam distilled from various parts of aromatic plants. A variety of methods of application can be used to achieve the desired effect: inhalation, compress, ointment mixture, or dilution in a carrier oil, which is applied to the body using a systematic, light touch. Aromatherapy can complement other treatments, help to reduce stress and anxiety, relieve pain and nausea, and restore energy, health, and a sense of well-being. History Aromatherapy has been around for 6000 years or more. The Greeks, Romans, and ancient Egyptians all used aromatherapy oils. The Egyptian physician Imhotep recommended fragrant oils for bathing, massage, and for embalming their dead nearly 6000 yea