By Sherry Jackson
What if you could uplift your spirit, unlock creativity, stimulate your mind,
induce relaxation and healing, and alleviate stress, all with the push of a
button? Drop in some mood enhancing, mind altering, memory stimulating music
into your office compact disc and push play. Notice the visceral reaction you,
your staff and patients begin to experience.
Music is transforming and universal. It is as old as civilization itself. Ancient
Greek philosophers believed that music could indeed facilitate healing, as did
early Native Americans. “Music is a primitive form of expression,”
says Butch Hall, a woodworker of precision-tuned Native American flutes. “It
began with drums and rattles.”
Whether you have realized it or not, music is just about a part of every aspect
of your life. It inspires in ways you probably haven’t thought of or recognized.
For example, music is always an integral part of ceremonies and events because
it gives meaning and purpose to the celebration. Music is always a part of worship
because it adds power to the praise. Music is always a part of recreation, be
it concerts, movies or exercise, because it makes the experience pleasurable.
In most instances today, music is usually a part of office environments because
it uplifts and sometimes adds to one’s ability to concentrate and relax.
Like chiropractic, certain music can aid the body to enter its natural state
of balance and harmony. When the body is truly relaxed, it knows innately how
to balance and heal. When one experiences a relaxed and quiet mind, the heartbeat
slows and brain waves known as alpha waves are emitted from the brain. Research
has revealed that alpha waves are the predominant brain wave pattern among individuals
who practice meditation and yoga frequently.
“Music puts you in a natural state where the body is better able to access
its healing resources,” says Dr. Mike Abbatinozzi, a chiropractor at Life
University, who prefers music without words when practicing the network model.
“Certain music helps patients to relax and intimately connect to themselves.
This allows their body to process at a deeper level.”
Gordon Shaw, a theoretical physicist, suggests that Mozart’s music may
“warm up” the brain. He believes that complex music actually facilitates
certain complex neuronal patterns. Various research studies have positively
indicated that accuracy, IQ levels and the brain’s ability to perform
abstract operations increase when participants are listening to light classical,
including Mozart. This phenomenon is referred to the Mozart Effect.
Most chiropractors’ offices today provide some background music. “Music
should match the personality of the doctor and the energy that the doctor is
trying to create in the office,” says Abbatinozzi.
Whether mind calming, toe tapping or finger snapping, music can energize and
inspire your office mood with positive energy. A daily burst of music can invigorate
your patients’ life force in encouraging ways. Let some lyrical notes
uplift and recharge your office atmosphere. The daily musical journey could
propel you, your patients and staff into a feel good, productive, responsive
environment.