Music Therapy, also known as "Sound Healing", is a particular process where "sound" is employed in healing diseases. Thus music has frequently been used as the therapeutic agent from the ancient times. Music produces the effect of Yoga through the generation of sonorous sound, which acts upon human organism to awaken and develop the proper function of various organ systems so that it ultimately leads to self-realization.

The music therapy was common in ancient India as self-realization was the ultimate goal of Hindu Philosophy and religion. Various Ragas have been found to be very effective in curing many diseases.

Origin of Music Therapy in India
Music therapy in India has a rich history of its own. The musicologists of India observed the ever engaging and invincible quality of music or sound. Music therapy in India hence stands as the arrangement of sound in definite order to raise varied feelings. These diverse feelings further influence the particular DNA and also excite the hormones.

Effects of Music Therapy
Listening to the music provides wonderful effect to alleviate stress. Music is a significant mood changer and reliever of stress, working on many levels at the same time. A slow rhythmic music is always much effective than a faster one. Indian classical ragas are proved to be very effective. But if one wants to boost up after a day"s fatigue, he/she must listen to some faster music instead of a calm one. One can also chose a familiar music like childhood song or good oldies for the music therapy and relaxation.

Music of choice has always been a great healer. Music helps in the treatment of the diseases in the following way:


•Music acts as a sedative and thereby can replace the use of tranquillizers or at least can reduce the dosage of tranquillizers.
•Music increases the metabolic activities within the human body. It accelerates the rate of respiration, increases the hormonal secretion, affects the muscular activities and thereby affects the total Central Nervous System and Circulatory System of the listener of the music.

Many experts suggest that it is the rhythm of the music or the beats that has the calming effect on the nervous system without making the person very conscious about it. Therefore music has made its presence felt as an alternative form of treatment hence the very concept of music therapy is wide and engaging. The automatic process of music therapy therefore does a deep central healing while setting the right combination of sounds.

The entire human energetic level is extremely influenced by sounds and the physical body as well as the "Chakra" system responds specifically to certain tones and frequencies. Even the effect of music occurs especially when one is playing or creating music by oneself.

Adverse Effects of Music Therapy
Music therapy is all about music therefore. An extensive research reveals that any given piece of music system produce many physiological responses. But many of the music have bad effect on health like hard rock, heavy metal etc.

Though, it should always be remembered that every body have their different taste of music. So listening forcefully of a relaxing music, which the patient does not like, might enhance taste instead of alleviating it.

Music Therapy for Curing Diseases
Diseases like Stress, Sleeplessness, Amnesia, Autism, etc can actually be healed with this magical touch of Music therapy. The first symptom of stress fighting while one hears a tune is an increase in deep breathing as well as acceleration in serotonin hormone production. Even during the dental treatment, music is proven to reduce pain.

When one works if music plays in the background it definitely reduces stress. Music is found to reduce the heart rates and promote higher body temperature, which is an indication of the onset of relaxation. The relaxation therapy is more effective when it works in combination of Music Therapy.

Music Therapy for Stress
To relieve stress one can take a 20 minute "Sound Bath". One must lie in the couch or floor in a comfortable position with the liking music playing in a sound system. One can even wear headphones to concentrate more on the music. The focus should be on breath and concentration should be given on the gaps of the tones. The music should be allowed to wash over the body and mind so that it can bring complete relaxation. Listening to natural music like waves of sea or falling of raindrops is also helpful in relieving stress.

A single music is not good for everyone. Different people have different taste of music and it is important to like the music to get its full beneficial effect. There are some common guidelines to maximize the effectiveness of the music.