Getting your brain to heal the body using music!

Phil Maffetone

Music therapy is about five thousand years old, give or take, first described in Chinese medicine. Today it’s an accepted method of prevention and treatment for people with many conditions, especially those associated with brain dysfunction. From Alzheimer’s to Schizophrenia, and those with vague problems of fatigue, depression and reduced initiative, music not only can help the brain, but the whole body.

Unfortunately, music therapy is considered an “alternative.” But an alternative to what? Is there some therapy modern medicine has – or alternative medicine has – that can affect the entire brain in such a powerful way, reduce the harmful effects of stress and provide other benefits to the whole body in just three or four minutes? Certainly not. Herein lies one of the problems: most people think it’s too simple to be true. It’s not.

A common question I receive is about a particular unresolved health problem with the conclusion that, “I’ve tried everything without success.” If you’ve not used music to mend your mind, you’re in for a wonderful awakening. 

Which Music?

While many musical pieces can be therapeutic, choosing the ones you enjoy most usually works the best. Much of the music I’ve written and recorded provides powerful stimulation for the brain: Songs that evoke the most alpha waves include those on the Albums page, including:
-- Rosemary
-- Flowers & Weeds
-- Karolina 

Here are some other potent songs:
-- Middleman
-- History of Secrets
-- We All Need
-- All the Way to Heaven and Back

I was first exposed to music therapy as a student, and have spent my career sorting through hundreds of other therapies to find the ones that work best. In addition, I developed many on my own that have proved even more successful. Not one of these therapies compares to the power of music.

Below are the steps to take which can help you on your way to correcting some stubborn health problem, improve your fitness training or make a better brain (at any age). This process is also referred to as respiratory biofeedback. 

Music Therapy
1. It’s best performed in a lying position, although slightly reclined while sitting is also effective.
2. Place the hands or arms on the middle of the abdomen, and keep them relaxed. 
3. Close your eyes. 
4. Listen to an enjoyable song, such as Rosemary – headphones, earbuds or good speakers are best. 
5. Breathe easy. Most people can comfortably, slowly inhale for about 5 to 7 seconds; then, exhale for the same 5 to 7 seconds. If 5 to 7 seconds makes you feel out of breath or dizzy, adjust the time – try 3 to 4 seconds during inhalation, for example, and the same for exhalation.
6. Continue for about four to five minutes or for the length of one song. 

It’s very important to not fall asleep, or not even start drifting into sleep. If this happens, discontinue the music therapy session. Sleep is associated with very different brain waves that should be avoided while awake. If you start getting sleepy after 2 minutes, perform respiratory biofeedback for just less than that time and gradually work up to 5 minutes – but always avoid getting sleepy. If you consistently get sleepy there may be other sleep-related issues such as sleep deprivation or sleep apnea.

This powerful 5-minute therapy can be performed once or twice daily, or even more as necessary. Many people feel so much better afterward, and can tell when it’s time to perform it again.

Click to see the video.