Music 4 Life® Blog

By Judith Pinkerton, MT-BC/L

Over 5 million people in the past month became interested in how music is the “quickening art” with Henry’s “Alive Inside” video. Watch Henry engage with life as he used to be – singing and talking with animation from what I call the “iPod Effect.”  His favorite music is programmed inside the iPod which brings him back to life and restores himself as he re-acquires his identity – for a short while.

Notice there was no list of songs given for Henry’s iPod playlist. Fortunately the family’s music recommendations worked for Henry coming alive inside.  However, I am aware of situations where the family was not correct in their recommendations and actually endangered their loved one’s life.  It’s important that a credentialed music therapist be involved when the “iPod Effect” is recommended in a medical setting. Will this viral video supporting the “iPod Effect” go down the same path as the 19-year old “Mozart Effect” of distorting the truth?

Listen to the music used in the Mozart Effect’s original research study entitled “Music and Spatial Task Performance.” Researchers disclaim the viral idea that listening to Mozart makes you smarter. On the flip side, find out what babies, sewage, vineyards, cows, plants and rats have in common with the Mozart Effect with temporary or long-term effect.

Music can make you come alive! It can work like medicine to restore life more permanently. It is important what music is loaded into an iPod. These questions can stimulate necessary answers to make the “iPod Effect” happen positively for you or someone you love.
What music brings you joy?
What music did you listen to in your 20′s?
Do you even need an iPod to make music work like medicine?

When more questions are asked and answered, music selections can be chosen that save healthcare costs.  To optimize the iPod Effect, enroll in Music 4 Life’s life skills trainings to understand what music works best. Become more self-aware to restore yourself, learn your identity through music and gain greater peace and happiness.  Then, you can start referring to music as a resource for health for others. More permanent change, not temporary, is possible when accessing music as medicine. And – owning an iPod is not necessary to apply music as medicine!

Just as important as your physical workout and nutritional diet, Music 4 Life® Music Medicine can also save healthcare costs when you know what, where, when, and how to use your music – or music you never thought of – for stress or pain management.

Mozart’s music may or may not work because it’s not all three essential ingredients for you! Learn how to create powerful Mood Exercise Regimens™ that access a variety of music which you apply as medicine during Music 4 Life’s training programs with monthly offerings of iPodology™ webinars and classes. (Remember, an iPod is not necessary!)

Register NOW for trainings!

I began regular trips to the public restroom, from my string quartet performance that Saturday afternoon at a convention, to vomit from the effects of a migraine. Thereafter I was immobilized on a couch, trying to figure out how I was going to complete the rest of the night as concertmaster of the chamber orchestra concert. With the help of colleagues, I made it to the concert and to my first chair violin seating. Remembering a story from one of my book‘s interviewees about pain management in the dentist’s chair using only music, I quickly reviewed the line-up: 20+ pops concert music pieces. Could I do this?

Magically, as soon as each uplifting piece of music started, my migraine subsided into the background. I prayed for the applause to swiftly end after each piece so that I could quickly start playing the next piece of music, thereby continuing my personal pain management. I was able to play the entire two-hour concert with renewed enjoyment, not needing to re-visit the restroom!

How can you use music to manage your pain? Read this current pain management article reporting the University of Utah Department of Anesthesiology’s findings about music’s ability to reduce pain levels. Although pushing play on preferred music may work, as suggested by the article, the best applications may be found with playing your preferred music instrument as I did. Or, when that is not available, implement a Mood Exercise Regimen™ with your preferred music.

Watch this video about David’s unique experience applying a Mood Exercise Regimen™ to reduce pain. Caution: Music 4 Life® does not guarantee that David’s experience could happen to you as your condition might be different. If experiencing chest pain, call 911 or your physician immediately.

I urge insurance companies to keep pace with research findings about pain management. My experience attempting to apply music as medicine during a medical procedure was complicated with hidden agenda insurance reviews and automatic anesthesia levels. My request for minimal use of anesthesia to complement my music medicine was not honored and ultimately the insurance company refused to pay $200 for the “excess” anesthesia because the results did not find abnormalities. This $200 cost was contrary to the insurance company’s repeated assurances that there would be no cost to me. Read the aforementioned research abstract by the University of Utah Department of Anesthesiology.

The following perspective from this article calls forth yet another frustration generated from my medical procedure: lack of time and personalization from the medical professional. As a board-certified music therapist, I reached out to the anesthesiologist prior to the procedure to confirm use of music as medicine and to verify the insurance company’s reassurance of zero cost. He did not return my call nor allow any time to understand and honor my request prior to administering anesthesia. This article entitled “Individual Differences in the Effects of Music Engagement on Responses to Painful Stimulation” advocates for clinical personalization.
“Engaging in music listening can reduce responses to pain, depending on the person: people who are anxious and can become absorbed in activities easily may find music listening especially effective for relieving pain. Clinicians should consider patients’ personality characteristics when recommending behavioral interventions like music listening for pain relief.”

Read music therapist Dr. Walworth’s report on a cost-effective analysis study implementing music therapy to reduce anesthesia with savings realized in money, time, and staff/equipment resources.

Music can work like medicine when the appropriate applications are understood and practiced!

Author: Judith Pinkerton, MT-BC/L

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Claudia Schwarz works in the trenches of Las Vegas reuniting families torn apart by divorce and trauma through court-ordered therapy. Discover the music Claudia instinctively chooses before the day starts and after the day ends to keep her focused.

The music Claudia chose to focus on trauma is featured on the show, including Daughtry’s “Going Home,” Blink’s “Revive,” Jason Aldean’s “Laughed Until We Cried,” Craig Morgan’s “That’s What I Love About Sundays,” and Alphaville’s “Forever Young.”

Find Claudia at ClaudiaSchwarz.com website.

Listen to Claudia’s insights about reuniting families during the April 8 Music 4 Life Radio Show podcast on iTunes.

Join rock star guitarist and board certified music therapist Tim Ringgold on his journey as a father whose first NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) patient was his newborn daughter, Bella, born with the life-threatening EB (epidermolysis bullosa) disease. His life journey reveals a strong constitution and unwavering zeal as he advocates for an EB cure and music therapy.

Judith and Tim both serve on the Executive Board for Western Region Chapter, American Music Therapy Association, which produces the annual regional music therapy conferences and serves the membership residing in nine western states and U.S. Territories and outlying areas in the Pacific Ocean Western Region.

The music Tim chose features insights into his own stress management, including The Muse’s “Butterflies and Hurricanes,” Wayne Jones’ “I’m with You,” and Al Dimeola’s “The Embrace.”

Find Tim at SonicDivinity.com, SixtyMinutestoSuccess.com and Bellasblessings.com websites.

Listen to Tim’s insights about music supporting his life, and the lives of others, during the Music 4 Life® Radio Show on April 1, 2011, with podcast available on iTunes at Music 4 Life Radio Show.

Live in Brett Silver’s world of darkness where music provides the kaleidescope of color that supports his journey through challenges including a car accident. Join Brett on his life journey discovering what music exposes his intimate experiences of fear, sadness and joy.

The music Brett chose features his life journey on the show, including his own composition “Straight from the Heart,” Stacey Q’s “The River” and “Another Chance,” Kenny Rogers’ “Through the Years,” Pretenders’ “Don’t Get Me Wrong,” The Calling’s “Wherever You May Go,” Style Council’s “Ever Changing Mood,” Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Summer in the City,” BG’s “Grease is the Word,” Arrowsmith’s “Last Child,” and Stereophonics’ “Have a Nice Day.”

Find Brett at NevadaTalkingBooks.org website.

Listen to Brett’s insights about music supporting his life during the Music 4 Life Radio Show on October 7, 2011, with podcast available on iTunes at Music 4 Life Radio Show.

Discover the common ground between a pistacho farmer and chiropractic office manager. Bill Barrackman and Claudette Kruger discuss the life enhancing benefits of attending a Music 4 Life workshop. The music featured is part of the Music 4 Life proprietary library of offerings that have significant healing benefit with the possibility of saving thousands in medical costs.

Visit Music4Life.us for more information on upcoming trainings.

Listen to Bill and Claudette on the Music 4 Life Radio Show broadcast on October 14, 2011, with podcast available on iTunes at Music 4 Life Radio Show.

Chuck Underwood launched “The Generational Imperative” after a heated discussion in the 1970′s. This past decade unleashed dramatic exposure with corporations and government grabbing his genius to rock the foundations of marketing, sales, employee profiles, and politics. Travel with us through the demarcations of America’s “Five Living Generations” as Chuck weaves his preferred music into demonstrations of insights ~ including my own!

Chuck’s music for his own stress management is featured: Carol King’s “So Far Away;” Johnny Mathis Mathis’ “Wonderful Wonderful;” Chad & Jeremy’s “A Summer Song;” Beach Boys’ “California Girls.”

Find Chuck at The Generational Imperative website.

Listen to Chuck’s insights about your generation during this podcast available on iTunes at Music 4 Life Radio Show.

Film editor Shari Goins owns Creative Editing in Houston, TX, whose career was launched after changing a short film’s failure into a winner at the Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival. Discover her limitless creativity, understand her music and her lack of generation gaps which imbues her work with multi-generational success.

Shari’s chosen music for reducing stress resembles her favorite quote “Drama is life with the dull bits cut out!” Listen to our interpretations of her selections, including Metallica,

Find Shari’s editing services at Editing Creations.

Listen to Shari’s journey through music, life and creativity on this podcast available on iTunes at Music 4 Life Radio Show.

Conductor Hugh Ballou shares his passion for guiding transformational leadership, from orchestras and choirs to the corporate boardroom. Discover potential conflict which resolved into harmony between Hugh and I! And why did he choose to leap of the conductor’s podium into corporate pandemonium?! Based out of Blacksburg, VA, conductor Ballou’s life story weaves a palette of synchronicity between struggle, music and demand.

Access Transformational Leadership for your organization.

The music Hugh chose to relieve stress is featured on the show, including Chanticleer’s “Shenandoah,” Taize’s “In the Lord I’ll be Thankful,” J.S. Bach’s “Alleluja” from “Lobet den Herrn,” and “Blessed Assurance.”

Listen to Hugh’s strategic suggestions for growing successful leaders on this podcast available on iTunes at Music 4 Life Radio Show.

Dr. Rebecca Wellman and I are kindred spirits after discovering mutual passion for music therapy state recognition. Two thousand miles separated us, yet we found camaraderie through music therapy, private practice and the desire to grow our profession. Dr. Wellman talks about losing her mojo, and what she did to regain it.

The music Becky chose for her stress management is featured on the show, including Lifeline’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Journey’s “Separate Ways,” and Kate Perry’s “Hot n Cold.”

You can find Becky’s private practice at Wellman Therapy Services in Chicago, IL.

Listen to Dr. Wellman’s Music 4 Life podcast on iTunes.