Music Therapy and Pain Management

o o o Guided Relaxation and Pain Management Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) Systematic tensing and relaxing of different muscle groups Trains the muscles and body to relax and alleviate pain Rhythm Entrainment o External stimulus adapting the bodys internal rhythm o Using a specific tempo (typically 60-65) to decrease heart rate, increase breathing o Finding music that matches your natural internal rhythm at a relaxed state, and knowing at what points to use this music to relax o More natural for children Need less guidance Playing a consistent rhythm, speaking to that rhythm will increase a childs breath and calm their heart rate, therefore making procedures like an IV start easier Guided Imagery o Music facilitates the colors/images o Verbal guidance can help focus the mind on memories, colors, images, places o Form of focused distraction to allow the body to rhythmically entrain to the music Deep Breathing o Used in conjunction with above techniques o Above techniques are often necessary to truly achieve relaxation/pain management through deep breathing Processing Emotional Expression Positive/Productive expression of pain Source of pain Physical Mind/body connection o Driven by fear o Emotional Coping Mechanisms Self-Awareness Understanding what techniques work for you Knowing how to effectively use those techniques o Education of Pain Management techniques o Group Process Peers often teach one another how to cope with pain Easier to learn from someone who has first-hand experience

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Resources and Recordings

Kern, K., Hoppe, M., Machlis, P., Wright, D. (1997) Piano dreamers [CD]. Real music (June 10, 1997). Lite, L. (2008). Affirmation weaver: a believe in yourself story. Litebooks.net, LLC. Lite, L. (2008). Angry octopus: a relaxation story. Litebooks.net, LLC. Lite, L. (2008). Bubble riding: a relaxation story. Litebooks.net, LLC. Lite, L. (2008). Sea otter cove: a relaxation story. Litebooks.net, LLC. Winston, G. (2005). Montana: a love story. [CD]. Sony bmg Europe (April 11, 2005).

Additional Readings
Bral, E. (1998). Caring for adults with chronic cancer pain. American Journal of Nursing, 98:4. 27-32. Laird, R & Beattie, S. (1989). Rx: Elvis. RN, 52: 44-47. Magill L. (2001). The use of music therapy to address the suffering in advanced cancer pain. Journal of Palliative Care, 17(3):167-72. Magill-Levreault L. (1993). Music therapy in pain and symptom management. Journal of Palliative Care, 9(4):42-8. O'Callaghan. (1996). Pain, music creativity and music therapy in palliative care. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 13(2):43-9. Trauger-Querry B, Haghighi KR. (1999). Balancing the focus: art and music therapy for pain control and symptom management in hospice care. Hospice Journal, 14(1):25-38. Whipple, B. & Glynn, N. (1992). Quantification of the effects of listening to music as a noninvasive method of pain control. Scholarly Inquiry for Nursing Practice: An International Journal, 6: 143-56. Wong, Donna. (1988). Changing what children hear in the ICU can lower intracranial pressure. America Journal of Nursing, 88: 279-280.