Music As A Healing Art

Music therapy is one of several healing art forms that is progressively gaining prominence and a place among complementary therapies offered in hospitals in the United States. This is not to say it is a new healing art for. Music therapy has been around for eons and now there are research reports that document its effectiveness and benefits.

Music has been a part of cultures and societies throughout history. It may have been in the form of drumming, chanting, toning and musical instruments of the time. Shamans, medicine woman and man, tribal sweat lodges ‘singings’, initiation ceremonies and funerals used music to promote healing and a smooth transition after life.

Benefits

It is , without a doubt, a beautiful, melodic form of therapy that can reduce stress and anxiety, relieve pain, lift depression and produce feelings of happiness. Music is energy and produces a flowing of inappropriate (negative effect) energy within the body, outward from the body (positive) resulting in restoration of balance and harmony.

Sound waves are produced by music and they are processed in many areas of the brain which then influences the condition of the body. Thereby, bringing harmony to the body, mind, spirit and the emotions. Research has demonstrated the beneficial effects on a person’s blood pressure, muscle tension and respiratory rate.

Categories of music include:

1. Big Band-Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman

2. Jazz-John Coltrane, Miles Davis

3. Blues-B. B. King, John L. Hooker

4. Ambient/New Age-Brian Eno, Halpern

5. Baroque-Bach, Handel

6. Classical-Beethoven, Mozart

Listening to music one hour a day can improve learning, promote clarity of values, personal intent and creativity.

Harp music (harp therapy) has been used to reduce pain, anxiety and promote relaxation.

Music has the ability, according to various studies and lived experiences, to increase dopamine levels. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is released when there are rewards and pleasures such as music, food, sex and drugs. It is a ‘feel good’ substance, a motivator. Music for healing is pleasurable experience. The pleasure of music can distract a person from feelings of pain, lower blood pressure and reduce depression.

Related Sources:

1.      Nature Neuroscience (2011), Evidence for dopamine release during pleasurable music listening.

2.       Direct: Effect of music on blood pressure regulation. Brain Research, Vol. 1016, Issue 2 (2004).

3.      Music in Medical Research Group, Massachusetts General Hospital

4.      Cardiovascular Surgery Healing Enhancement Program, Music Therapy, Mayo Clinic.

Two groups of people who have been among the forgotten, invisible and medically underserved are women veterans, and the elderly. In comparing the health characteristics of elderly women and women veterans, similarities can be found in the two groups. During times when there is a downward trend in the state of the economy and no immediate changes in the provision of health care services for underserved individuals, it is most likely that the rate and incidence of depression will increase. In addition, depression has been linked to sudden cardiac death.

Descriptive factors which may be ascribed to elderly women can also be found among female veterans. Those factors include female gender, single, living alone, weak or no support system, limited income, poor nutritional status, barriers to health care and underinsured. The primary care provider of the elderly or veterans may prescribe an antidepressant for major depression and the individual is not closely monitored for one reason or another. One reason might be the patient’s low economic status. Their economic status and marginalization could have triggered or contributed to the depression.

Dr. William Whang of Columbia University, New York and his colleagues reported in the Journal of The American College of Cardiology, March 17, 2009 that major depression was a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The study group was healthy, mostly white women. Questionnaires were administered to the study participants in 1992, 1996, and the year 2000 to assess symptoms of depression. The use of antidepressants was assessed in 1996 and 2000.

During times when there is a downward trend in the state of the economy and no immediate changes in the provision of health care services for underserved individuals, it is most likely that the rate and incidence of depression will increase. In addition, depression has been linked to sudden cardiac death

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Some people love winter and others may hate it, and what comes with it. Winter is viewed as cold, cold, cold weather with snow, ice and cold winds. Along with the cold weather there are more viruses, coughs, common colds, runny noses and the flu. Usually, antibiotics have been the treatment of choice in many cases.

Antibiotics have been prescribed routinely by physicians for respiratory infections of varying degrees of severity, the common cold, sore throats, chronic ear infections in children, various viral infections, acne, urinary tract infections (UTIs) etc. A tremendously effective treatment for the prevention of UTIs can be the lowly cranberry. Studies have shown that cranberries help block the adhesion of Escherichia coli (E. coli) to the uro-epithelium thereby lessening the need for prolonged antibiotic use or eliminating their use altogether. With the over use and misuse of antibiotics the United States populace has built up a resistance to the majority of the antibiotics that are marketed today. The research and development, obtaining approval for use by the public and production of antibiotics is time consuming and costly to pharmaceutical firms. I’ve seen nothing in my professional literature that indicates the pharmaceutical firms are researching and developing a new line of antibiotics for next year. What is effective today may not be effective against that microorganism next week because the strain has become resistant to that particular medication.

Fortunately, there are aromatic treatments to use for prevention and to assist in boosting the immune system.

If someone with a cold or the flu sneezes, why is it that some of us ‘catch’ it and others do not? Some people will say “I have a cold or the flu every January”. It seems they are waiting to ‘catch’ it every winter. Most likely, their immune systems are low. A low immune system, coupled with lack of sleep and poor nutrition, the ‘bug’ is going to ‘catch’ them. Also, it is difficult to handle stress with a weakened immune system. Dis-stress, without additional factors, will weaken the immune system. Many of those New Yorkers, who walked everyday, during the transit strike, ended their days days during the strike with a cold. Some may have said their cold symptoms were a result of the cold weather. If so, thousands would have had a cold. I say, those who did not have cold symptoms made appropriate lifestyle choices. Everyone has a choice to make wellness a primary choice of life.

Aromatherapy has been used for centuries as a healing art and to reduce the severity and duration of a cold or the flu. My selection of essential oils is dependent on whether there is an infection, there are large amounts of loose mucus or if the mucus is thick. The essential oils I’ve used for loose mucus include cajeput, eucalyptus radiata, myrtle, lemon and spike lavender. Thick mucus requires an essential oil that has expectorant properties such as aniseed, fennel, hyssop var. decumbens, rosemary and peppermint. Consideration is also given to emotional factors that may also be a part of the condition.

Cajeput, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, rosemary and tea tree are some of the essential oils that support the immune system and inhibit the growth of micro-organisms such as E.coli and viruses. Black pepper has also been used to support and strengthen the immune system. To help prevent an infection from spreading to the sinuses, essential oils are best used at the onset of a common cold. In all instances, therapeutic quality, 100% essential oils are utilized.

Essential oils in a carrier oil, applied locally, as during a massage, are also inhaled. Therefore, there is a physiological response in addition to an olfactory response. Although aromatherapy is easily applied it’s advisable to consult your aromatherapy practitioner for treatments.

Prevention is the key in an antibiotic resistant environment. Aromatherapy is an option that can be incorporated into a natural lifestyle to help boost the immune system.

Note: The information presented is based on the experience of the author, JEMiner, and are formulated from her extensive education and use of essential oils and aromatic-therapy.

Vaginal Atrophy

The epithelium that lines the vagina in postmenopausal women is usually pale in color, thin, smooth and easily infected. A symptom of vaginal atrophy is vulvovaginal dryness. The first line of treatment for reducing dryness are non- prescription, over the counter (OTC) vaginal moisturizers, which have increased in the number of choices. Vaginal atrophy can progress to atrophic vaginitis if left untreated

An acceptable treatment for persistent vaginal atrophy and vaginitis is prescription estrogen therapy (ET) such as vaginal tablets. Other FDA approved prescription products include vaginal rings and vaginal creams.

Postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy are more susceptible to Bacterial vaginosis and vaginal infections such as HIV, Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, and HPV. HIV infection alone has increased in sexually active women aged 50+.

Strategies for Prevention/Lifestyle Modifications

• Personal hygiene
• Loose fitting slacks and underwear
• Annual gyn exam; PAP, HPV
• Safer sex practices
• Know your HIV status and your partners status
• Test for sexually transmitted infections such
  as Chlamydia, Trichomonias and HIV.

Arthritis, as defined in the North American dictionary, is a form of arthritis characterized by gradual loss of cartilage of the joints, usually affecting people after middle age; degenerative joint disease.

As the number of adults in the population age 50+ increases, the number of people with arthritis will increase. Arthritis is best described as an inflammatory process.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary in severity from person to person.

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Redness
• Warmth

What is the cause of arthritis?

The cause of most types is unknown. The many different types of arthritis gives credence to there being many different causes. Genetics and lifestyle behaviors are high on the list of causes.

The behavior or trait that increases a person’s chance of developing arthritis include several factors. These risk factors include:

Age – Arthritis generally and osteoarthritis specifically, increases with age.

Obesity – Overweight increases the stress on weight bearing joints, thereby increasing wear and tear and risk of developing arthritis/osteoarthritis.

Gender – Arthritis is more prevalent in women than men.

Work habits – Repetitive movements and heavy lifting can stress the joints which can cause osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis: Os∙te∙o∙ar∙thri∙tis (ò stee ō aar thrītəss).

The most common form of arthritis in the U. S. is osteoarthritis, affecting approximately 20 million people. It occurs when the cartilage covering the end of the bones gradually wears away. The bones then begin to rub against each other and the resulting friction leads to pain and swelling. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint. However, it most often affects the hands and weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip and spine. Osteoarthritis often occurs as the cartilage breaks down, or degenerates, with age.

Lifestyle Choices

Drug therapy is not the only therapy available to individuals and persons with active lifestyles who are aged 50+. There are several behavioral choices that individuals with arthritis can make that may decrease symptoms of pain and discomfort, improve their well-being , their quality of life and their daily lifestyle activities such as running, walking, swimming and hiking.

Weight maintenance – Reduced activity levels require a reduced caloric intake in   order to stabilize weight. The percentage of arthritis cases linked to obesity has increased over the past years. Overweight ‘baby boomers’ are at risk for arthritis.

Food choices – Certain foods may trigger the inflammatory process of arthritis. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (walnuts, fish, and flaxseed) may be helpful. Consume more whole grains, fruits and vegetables and fewer refined foods. It is best to consult with a dietician for your individualized needs. A healthful diet is beneficial with or without arthritis.

Exercise – Exercise improves cardiovascular health, helps maintain range
of motion, can slow the onset of disability, reduce swollen joints, reduce tenderness, and stabilize joints among other benefits. First, consult your primary healthcare practitioner. Walking, water aerobics, yoga, t’ai chi or mild hiking, mat Pilates for others. A person with a more active lifestyle can benefit from using a treadmill, walking up steps or a stationary bike.

Stress management – Stress impairs immune function which possibly exacerbates the severity of joint pain and the inflammatory process. Adequate sleep is important for managing stress. Meditation, deep breathing, a warm aromatic bath, touch therapy, socializing with friends and spiritual support systems are all beneficial.

Complementary and alternative therapies – Many people rely on complementary and alternatives therapies today to relieve symptoms. The 50+ population is rapidly increasing in their use of such therapies, partly because of poly-pharmacy and co-morbidities. You should always consult
a professional as most mind/body therapies are safe when administered by an educated/trained and licensed professional. These professionals include touch healers, aroma therapists, and massage therapists who are, preferably, experienced in working with persons with arthritis

Changing lifestyle behavior is not an overnight, quick fix. Everyone is
not interested, willing and ready for changing their style of life. Lifestyle behavioral changes are a daily process that brings improved health and wellbeing. How well do you want to live your life?

According to the American Heart Association’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still the United States number one killer of men and women of all ethnic groups. The 2008 statistical update utilized the statistics compiled for 2004, or the most recent year that data are available.

Cardiovascular disease include high blood pressure,coronary heart disease (myocardial infarction=acute heart attack and agina pectoris=chest pain) Coronary heart disease (CHD) or hardening of the arteries is the single leading cause of death of Americans.  There were 445,687 coronary heart disease deaths in 2005  In addition, in 2005 the death rates from CVD were 324.7 for white males and 438.4 for black males; 230.44 for white females and 319.7 for Black females.

~Death rates are per 100,000 population.

CVD Profile:

• Each year CVD disease claims about as many lives as cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents and diabetes combined..
• In 2004 statistics CVD caused the deaths of 459.1 thousand females compared to 410.6 thousand males.
• Approximately 2,400 Americans die daily as a result of CVD. The average of one death every 37 seconds.
• In 2004 statistics breast cancer claimed the lives of 40, 954 females, lung cancer claimed 68, 461.
• One in 30 female deaths is from breast cancer while one in six is from coronary heart disease.
• The 2004 stats overall death rate from CVD was 288.0

.Death rates: 335.1 for white males

454.0 for Black males

238.0 for white females

333.6 for Black females

The risk factors for CVD are not only common in the African America community, they are also preventable. These factors include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol profile, overweight & obesity, abnormal blood glucose and the use of tobacco.
Risk factors are preventable at an early age, before manifesting as cardiovascular disease later.

Lifestyle choices for prevention include but are not limited to:

• Exercising 30 minutes daily
• Eat vegetables, fruits and grains
• Eat a low fat, low carbohydrate, low cholesterol, low salt diet
• Eat fish, lean meats, poultry
• Drink eight glasses of water daily
• Eliminate processed foods, sugar, pastry
• Reduce life stressors and/or reaction to stressors
• Engage in spiritual activities
• Give community service

Due to the urgent need for ongoing intervention to reverse the trend of increasing numbers of diabetes and obesity, heart disease and stroke, I have partnered with the American Heart Association to provide a community awareness program to help improve the health and wellness of community residents. This program revolves around the National Go Red for Women and Heart Health initiatives.

To help raise the awareness of community residents and its members at large, of the need for heart health and the prevention of CAD in women, I encourage women to join me during the month of February by wearing red, in accordance with the American Heart Association’s National Go Red for Women Day. In addition I ask women to schedule an appointment for themselves and family members to see their nurse practitioner, internist, or pediatrician.

The heart is a very fragile and strong organ. It is the center of our being and a very vulnerable focal point. The heart plays a role in every function of the body. It can be “hurt”, “lost” and left in San Francisco. It can also “skip a beat” or be attacked by a stroke. Our heart is our life force and in Chinese medicine it is the fire element. Yet it can “fail” us, as in heart failure. The heart has rhythm and can block, just not in a football game.  Sometime, our heart talks to us with sounds and murmurs. There are some people who listen to their hearts speak to them while others have not listened and may have taken a path of least resistance. There is time, however, that we all listen when our heart speaks to us. That time is, when there is a broken heart.

When the heart is broken, a spectrum of feelings is manifested. These feelings consist of   hurt, pain, anger, sadness, relief and forgiveness. In the process of living with these feelings and going through the experience of having a broken heart, what happens physically and emotionally to women?

In my practice, many women have scheduled an appointment with me for
an annual gynecological examination or they were returning for their weekly obstetrical examination. Within the first few minutes of interviewing the patient regarding about her medical history since the last visit, I realize there is a strong emotional and physical component to the visit that is not directly related to what is considered a routine exam. In essence, the emotional and physical components are indicative of a broken heart.  I make a holistic assessment of the patient’s medical history, emotional, spiritual, physical and clinical findings. These cases may warrant a referral to a specialist, depending on her status at that moment. A follow up visit is always scheduled.

Throughout time, it has been said individuals have died of a broken heart. For instance, a wife died and then her husband died from natural causes within a week or a sister died and her sibling died naturally very soon thereafter.  Were the subsequent deaths just a coincidence or did they die from a broken heart?

Researchers have started scientifically looking at such cases and calling it the Broken Heart Syndrome.  In health care terminology we call this condition stress Cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is heart muscle weakness. It can occur after various emotional and physical stressors such as fear, surprise, anger and the death of a loved one. Stress cardiomyopathy affects primarily women and occurs most frequently in middle aged women and women over age sixty.  Many of the women that have been studied have no prior history of heart disease and the majorities are postmenopausal. There is no known reason for the increase frequency in women in these age groups and postmenopausal women in particular.  Physical stressors can fuel a stroke or seizure and as mentioned emotional stressors such as fear, grief and anger can cause this condition.

Women with dis-stressed can suddenly and unexpectedly experience a heavy feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, abnormal rhythm of the heart, low blood pressure, congestive heart failure and shock. It can be life threatening.  She may appear sad, express feelings of sadness, lock of concentration and difficulty sleeping at night. The good news is there can also be a quick and complete recovery.

Aromatherapy is a fantastic complementary therapy. One hundred percent essential oils are more potent than herbs –less is better than more. They are volatile oils which are obtained directly from the root, flower petals, leaves or skins of fruit. The price can range from approximately five dollars to several hundred dollars for a half ounce. It takes 2000 pounds of rose petals to make one pound of oil. Therefore there is a variance in the cost of essential oils. The essential oils widely used to restore the heart are Rose Otto, Jasmine sambac, Neroli, Rosewood, and Lavender. Essential oil blends can be used through inhalation and application methods. They can be inhaled by using a diffuser, sniffed directly from the bottle (less expensive oils) or they can be used in the bath/shower or through vapor and nebulizer. They can be applied by massage or as perfume oil.

Lavender has a long history as a medicine and perfume. In Chinese medicine it circulates heart Qi. It can restore vitality, relieve tension and calm a person. Dried lavender buds can be added to the bath or a tea can be made from the dried herb. To make a single note lavender perfume oil add three drops of 100% Highland or Bulgarian lavender essential oil to one tablespoon of jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is a stable carrier oil, won’t rancid and is relatively odorless.

The benefits of essential oils are numerous. However, care must be taken in using them. Aromatherapy is very technical. One oil can cancel out the effects of another oil. Some oils are toxic and what may benefit one person may have no effect on another person. One fragrance may be pleasant to one person and offensive to another. Determine which oil is best for you. Our behavior is affected by the aromatic scent. They also help the body regulate itself and come into balance. Therefore the stressors and feelings produced by a broken are relieved with the consistent use of aromatherapy.

Note: The information presented is based on the experience of the author, JEMiner, and are formulated from her extensive education and use of essential oils and aromatic-therapy.

Integrative Medicine

Lower Cholesterol Level Naturally

High cholesterol is a precursor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Factors which may cause increases in ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol are menopause and hypothyroidism. Cholesterol levels rise in postmenopausal women as a result of a decrease in estrogen levels.   Overtime, medications such as
the ‘statins’ have been used to lower abnormal cholesterol levels. However, as with all prescribed medications there are side effects. The elderly,
in particular, may be taking numerous medications for various chronic conditions and are interested in learning about other possible options.
One option is an individual’s dietary habits.

Dietary habits can have a profound impact on cholesterol levels and CAD. For some people it may be a simple lifestyle change such as exercise. For others it may be a combination of consistent exercise and lower dietary fat intake. Dietary supplementation is also a lifestyle choice.

Supplements include Acetyl-L Carnitine, which has been promoted by the supplement industry to be an energizer at the cellular level, a cognitive support agent and hypo-lipidemic agent..

Psyllium and grapefruit pectin, a fiber supplement, are considered to have hypo-cholesterolemic action. The additional fiber reportedly pulls the cholesterol out of the body thereby preventing its re-absorbtion.  Other supplements include Pilicosanol, which is derived from sugar cane and thought to work by inhibiting cholesterol from forming in the liver, vitamins B6, B12, and Folic Acid. None of these statements have been supported by the FDA.

Before starting any lifestyle changes and supplementary regimen it is best
to learn about all your options and collaborate with a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about complementary therapies.

Date of last modification: April 10, 2010

Dyslipidemia in Women

Mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women has increased
over the past ten years. There have been more deaths among women
than among men.  This factor may be attributed to gender disparities in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. CVD also affects a high percentage of adult women and men over the age of 60.

Risk factors for CVD include hypertension, abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition. Individuals at special risk have hypertension,
the metabolic syndrome and diabetes. The cardiovascular risk of diabetics
is similar to those individuals who have coronary heart disease (CHD). Diabetics are more likely to suffer stroke, MI, or heart failure than non-diabetics and after having a stroke, etc, their outcome is poorer.

Women who have three or more risk factors for metabolic syndrome are at greater risk for CVD than their counterparts who have no risk factors. The risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) is greater in postmenopausal women and increases with age.

Women usually maintain their higher levels of HDL-C throughout their lifespan in relation to their normal lower levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Hormonal effects on lipid profile levels in women, is quite noticeable.  Nulliparous women have higher HDL-C than parous women. The hormones in oral contraceptives (OCs) may increase triglycerides.  In perimenopausal women the LDL-C levels rise and the
HDL-C levels remain the same or decrease. Although hormone replacement therapy (HT) may have a positive effect on the lipid profile it does not reduce one’s risk of CVD.

Elevated triglyceride and low HDL-C levels are strongest risk factors for CHD in women.

Lifestyle modifications for improvements in lipid profile

• Decrease fat intake; change to poly-and mono-unsaturated fats
• Maintain a low fat, low cholesterol diet
• Increase exercise-moderate intensity. An increase in HDL-C is time sensitive with an incremental increase over a two year period.
• Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables of various colors