The Healing Power of Music

"Nothing activates the brain as extensively as music." - Oliver Sacks, MD



In yesterday's post I shared with you how the soundtrack of my life with the music of Broadway and Carole King opened up the door to wonderful childhood memories that trump the memories of trauma and pain from my childhood. Music has a wonderful way of evoking memories, emotions, transporting us to other times and places, fueling us for a grueling workout or an intense run and making the marathon of life so much more enjoyable. I choose a song a day to accompany my plank and the music and the lyrics strengthen me. Couples have "our song".

Back in 2011, I watched a NOVA special, "A Mind for Music," presented by Dr. Oliver Sacks. You may know him best through the movie, "Awakenings" with Robert De Niro and Robin Williams. In A Mind for Music Dr. Sacks undergoes MRI as different kinds of music are played. The music that he loved as a child lit up different parts of his brain. When music that did not have an emotional connection for him was played, it did not have an effect on the imaging.

Music can heal not only our hearts and souls but also our brains. There was an ABC News Story with Diane Sawyer and Bob Woodruff sharing how after Gabby Giffords' brain injury from a gunshot wound, she was able to access language through music therapy. Music therapy helped to rewire her brain.

I had a soundtrack for healing when I was going through intensive outpatient treatment through Spaulding Rehab and one of those songs was Dancing Through Life from Wicked. It uplifted me, gave me hope and helped me to realize that no matter the outcome, I would be able to experience joy and love and find a way to be dancing through life.



I listen to A Chorus Line and imagine myself dancing again. Rocky and Chariots of Fire bring out my marathon runner and I create a playlist to entertain me when I cross train on the stationery bike as I rehab my knee injury. Kate, the Aqautics Therapy aide at Spaulding creates a playlist to keep us moving each week. Last Wednesday she created a 70's disco playlist and compiled a list of oldies but goodies as the soundtrack to our Tuesday morning Joint Integrity Class.

As Oliver Sacks said, "Nothing activates the brain as extensively as music." I would add that nothing heals like the power of music.

Journey well!


"Journey Well" and all of my inspirational books are available on Amazon.

"Journey Well" is a book about resilience, strength, courage and how we are able to journey well no matter what conditions life hands to us. I profile the people who are Boston Stronger and share how 4/15/13 was a wake up call to me to return to my healing path from contracting paralytic polio at age 5 and 9 years of domestic violence as a child and adolescent.

Pastoral Symphony

Shortly after the tragic events of April 15, 2013, I saw this Leonard Bernstein post pop up repeatedly in my Facebook stream:



Music always played an important part in my life yet my love for music and my desire to play music (I was a viola player in high school and made it to All County Orchestra) was tainted by my biological family. In my treatments at Sollievo Massage and Bodywork, Joseph has a soundtrack playing in the background. During my first two treatments, it was a soundtrack of nature. One week, as Clair de Lune played, I almost asked him to turn it off. The piano solo initially brought back toxic memories of my mother but I was able to disconnect from her energy and reconnect with the beautiful strains of Clair de Lune rekindling my love and appreciation for beautiful music.



I was once tuned to the vibration of fear and violence in the Universe but through weekly massage treatments and regular meditation, I am tuning into and tapping into the essence of who I am. Pure love and light. Symphonic music was the soundtrack for one week's treatment. The rhythm of Joseph's hands felt like a beautiful symphony was being played and inspired me to write:

Pastoral Symphony

Melancholy melody a false motif
once filled my soul
sorrowful discord
strains of fear
screeching strings
out of tune and flat
broken hearted beat.
White baton poised
upbeat beacon of hope
new tempo
Maestro’s hands
fine tune
soft sweet refrains
wafting through the air
fairies frolic and play
dancing with joy
celebrating a life in harmony
running free in the meadow
pastoral symphony
to heal the world.





Knowing the challenges first hand of living with a neuromuscular condition, on Thanksgiving, I will be running the Boston Volvo 5K Village Road Race to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society New England Chapter. When we unlock the key to one neuromuscular condition, we can unlock the door to many. You can donate to my run on my fund raising page.

The first 7 years of my healing odyssey are chronicled in Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility available on Amazon. I donate 50% of royalty payments to The One Fund Boston to help survivors and their families who were affected by the tragic events of 4/15/13.



I'm working on my 2nd book, "Journey Well," due out later this year: