Certain types of music can encourage the production of endorphins and serotonin, which can either relax or stimulate us. For example, the major keys in our musical scale are more cheerful sounding while the minor keys are more sad. In therapeutic music, patients usually respond better (as indicated by their vital signs) to music in major keys. Minor keys, being more cathartic, are found useful in promoting communication and assisting in the grief process.

Benefits of healing music can include:

• Relieving anxiety of the critically ill
• Reducing stress and blood pressure of the chronically ill
• Augmenting pain management
• Relieving body and mental tension of the pre-surgery client
• Accelerating physical healing of post-surgery and injured patients
• Easing the birth delivery process
• Aiding mental focus in Alzheimer’s patients by lifting and clearing the consciousness
• Assisting the dying by facilitating ease in the transition process