PCOS and pain often go together. This may be due to the commonly higher levels of inflammation, the emotional and psychological overlay of this syndrome, the additional weight resting on joints, or many other, varied reasons.
PCOS And Pain Must Be Addressed!
Dealing with pain is very important. Pain lessens our quality of life, but it also puts our body into stress mode, and this can significantly adversely affect our hormones.
What can you do?
Get lost in music!
Musical Approaches to Pain
There is always a need for alternatives for those who suffer from pain, especially chronic pain or severe pain that can be absolutely debilitating. Medication, surgery, massage, and meditation are the typical solutions for suffering individuals. However, music is often an overlooked option—one that can be effective and improve one’s quality of life—through the gift of song!
Understanding Why Music Helps Combat Pain
The concept of using music as a relaxation technique to reduce stress, improve one’s life, and mitigate pain is nothing new. Ancient civilisations recognised the potential of a song. We know that music affects emotions, the mind, and the body. Music can soothe and help you relax while dealing with pain. This is especially beneficial for those recovering from surgery or an injury. In the days immediately following a traumatic injury, proper rest is crucial. In one study, Good, M., Anderson, G. C., Ahn, S., Cong, X., and Stanton-Hicks, M. focused on individuals recovering from intestinal surgery.
Participants underwent different types of relaxation techniques, music therapy, a combination of both, or were part of the control group, which received traditional pain treatment options. It is worth noting that patients in all intervention groups experienced a reduction in pain, a marked improvement compared to the control group.
In the end, researchers recommended using music in combination with pain-relief medication to achieve the best results for patients and improve their recovery.
In a recent study in the Journal of Pain, Dr. David H. Bradshaw, PhD at the University of Utah, conducted a study on the effects of music to reduce the immediate sensation of pain. 143 subjects listened to music while receiving a shock to the fingertip. Participants were asked to focus intently on the music, seeking any unique changes in the melody, to remove themselves from the pain. They found that music was most effective when it held a subject’s attention. This may be a potent key! Relax, immerse yourself in music, let yourself get swept away in the pain-reducing, gentle arms of melody!
Other researchers who have worked with music therapy suggest that music can actually interrupt pain pathways in the body, in a manner similar to acupuncture. It could very well be an issue of mind over matter, as music provides a patient with a way to remove oneself from the presence of pain in the body.
How Music Therapy Can Assist in Pain Management
Nurses Linda Cole and Geri Lo-Biondo Wood undertook a comprehensive research project to evaluate the results of a collection of articles on the use of music to treat pain. Studies involved various types of patients, including those who were pregnant, individuals in intensive care, patients recovering from surgery, and medical patients dealing with chronic pain. Overall, the findings suggested that pain can be effectively reduced through the use of music as a safe alternative, which can be combined with traditional pain management techniques. Music can help to stave off depression and anxiety, easing the distress that accompanies surgery, injury, and other painful conditions. When used consistently, it can truly improve a patient’s quality of life.
How Often Can Music Be Used to Manage Pain?
There is no set prescription for using music to address pain. It can be used before a surgical procedure to reduce anxiety, helping patients to relax. It is considered highly effective in the post-operative stage when music is selected correctly. When patients are on the road to recovery and heading home, music can be used daily to help them manage their pain. It is especially helpful after a patient has been active and needs to rest again. Researchers have studied patients who used music therapy to deal with chronic pain and found that some individuals preferred to listen to music at night to reach a deeper slumber and that it helped them to find relief from discomfort. However, others listened to music every day whenever they felt the need to enjoy its soothing effects and to distract themselves from their pain. They chose music that was enjoyable and acted as an effective form of escape.
What Types of Music are Most Effective?
For the best results, patient preferences should be taken into account, of course. This allows individuals to be actively involved in their treatment and connect with the music they love and are moved by. It is also generally agreed that the most effective pain-relieving music is slow, soothing, and gentle. Many classical pieces lend themselves well to music therapy, providing a relaxing combination of notes that can help calm, encourage the body to rest, and distract the mind from the pain.
Do you have any music that helps you escape? That takes your mind and body to another place, that engulfs you in feel-good and relaxing hormones? Make time to listen to this and focus on each note. Let them sweep you away to a pain-free place. And enjoy!
From PCOS to perfect health, with love,
Dr. Rebecca Harwin
The PCOS Expert
Chiropractor & Bestselling Author of
Conquer Your PCOS Naturally
www.ConquerYourPCOSNaturally.com
P.S. I’m currently writing my next book, on how to Conquer Your Back Pain Naturally. If you have any specific questions, feel free to leave a post below so I can include them for you.
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