Music For Pain in Parkinson’s

My mother has Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder. Someone who was strong-minded and healthy became progressively slower in how she spoke, moved, and thought. Then, there is the pain.  My mother often complains that her ‘whole body hurts.’  Muscle and joint pain occur from the stiffness and abnormal postures of the illness.  The falls occur towards the final stages.

​The Parkinson’s brain undergoes a progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. The loss of dopamine triggers symptoms such as tremors, postural instability, bradykinesia, and muscle stiffness. The drug Levodopa lessens these symptoms but does not stop the progression of neuronal degeneration. Listening to pleasurable music, however, can trigger the brain cells to release dopamine.  

​Dr. John Ortiz explains in his book, ‘The Tao of Music,’ that music can reduce tension, encourage relaxation, trigger endorphins, and help the mind create sound images.  Music can be a vehicle for achieving physical and mental harmony by converting pain vibrations into comfort vibrations.  The effects of music on patients with movement disorders are also documented in the book, ‘The Awakenings,’ by neurologist Oliver Sacks.  Sacks notes that patients can make voluntary movements to the sound of music, which they cannot accomplish without.

​~ Niyati