Music Therapy Patient Views

I also did music therapy and found it helpful

I love the idea of music therapy. Thanks so much for sharing, Claudia.

Thank you for sharing, my friend! I’ve often found music to be therapeutic. And I’m so glad to hear that you’re finding ways to incorporate it into your life.

How do you “do” music therapy? I listen to classical music at work when I’m stressed or trying to concentrate.

Hi a friend, I appreciate your response so much and I especially appreciate your willingness to look at every piece of what Parkinson’s is and experiment and share what you’ve learned. I should try music more often. I’ve noticed that I tend to avoid music because it makes me feel emotional, but maybe feeling emotional is more of what I need. I don’t suppose you have a encouragement playlist do you?😂

I'm confused, is this a therapy tool or a musical instrument? I'm not sure I can warm up to such a contraption, I'll continue playing my old choice of instruments as long as I can and even picked up a new one for the sole reason to rewire my motorics. But let me be honest: If my therapist would confront me with a therapeutical instrument I'd feel insulted. This feels too much like "you are unworthy of a real instrument".

So if you ask a music enthusiast suffering from PD - please reconsider your approach. Do something aiding in playing real instruments, like gloves collecting biometrical and/or MoCap data. If you wanna go the toy route do something like a guitar hero or beatsaber game controller, Gamify it. But don't expect all musicians to be happy with that. When I eventually one day won't be able to make music anymore, so be it. Handing me a toy that makes some kind of substitute music will just remind me what I lost. I won't feel enabled by it. For me such a contraption will only add insult to injury.

Just my personal opinion, but I thought, I'd bring it up.

I did music therapy for a while with the hospital. I had inserts in my shoes that were connected to an application called Beat Park or something like that. They asked me to walk 30 minutes a day to find out my rhythm, how often I faltered or tripped. Then they adapt music to that rhythm and you walk with the music 30 minutes a day every day. With earpods, and it makes so much difference! I never faltered after that, stopped looking at the ground anxiously watchful of anything that could possibly trip me. I was walking faster with no hesitation at all, normally. Now I always walk and work out to the same sort of music that just makes me want to get up and move my body and makes me feel normal. I can start out with no music feeling slow and stiff and unmotivated, put in my earpods and it lifts me immediately. I no longer feel stiff and slow. Obviously, I don't know what symptoms your dad has, but try it! I would advise you to get hold of a book called "The Brain That Transforms" (I think) by Norman Dodge. Fascinating and inspiring. Let me know if anything helps!

Music has always been really grounding for me. When I feel stressed out or sad, it doesn’t take very long before a song brings me back to my baseline. But I know people also use singing and music to combat some Parkinson’s symptoms. Do you use music to manage Parkinson’s disease? If so, is there a certain type to which you gravitate?

Research has show that music can help Parkinson’s patients manage symptoms through its relationship to rhythm and motor skill development. Were you aware of benefits of music for people with PD? What do you think of this information?

On April 2013 I gave my fifth level Indian classical vocal exam with great difficulty. I was suffering from all symptoms of Parkinson and I was not aware that I was suffering from Parkinson. I was literally shaking in front of the examiner. The examiner asked me if I was feeling alright? ‘Do you need the glass of water?’ asked the examiner. It was so frustrating an experience that when I reached home, I simply broke out and decided to discontinue learning music.

I experienced a major setback.

As my condition improved with medication, music therapy became a significant part of my life. Many people gave me compliments that I had a beautiful voice and that I sang very well. Many people also said that I had an inborn quality of becoming a singer as I have been gifted with this talent.

As I was detected with Parkinson's a few years ago, I got medication and started slowly improving. I again continued my education in learning Indian classical vocal music. Singing gives me pleasure. While we practice the first note of vocal music called “shadja” or “saa,” we actually create positive vibes within us. In the same manner, in Indian music, the practice begins with pronouncing Omkaar.

When you chant Om, a vibration sound is felt through your vocal cord that clears and opens up the sinuses. Chanting Om also has cardiovascular benefits. It reduces stress and relaxes your body, bringing down the blood pressure to a normal level, and the heart beats with a regular rhythm.

As I got the right medication from the right neurologist, I started feeling better.

Today, music gives me immense pleasure and I practice it for my happiness.