Many of us like to rock out occasionally to the oldies or daydream to the classic songs of crooners like Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole or Michael Bublé. It is hard to imagine a world without music by our side as we journey through life.
Even more than a sidekick, music has healing powers for our mental and physical well-being, and as such there is a growing field of study in healthcare known as music therapy. Research conducted at McGill University in Montreal found that listening to music boosted the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. [1]The release of dopamine can lead to feelings of happiness and enjoyment.
Not only can music make us feel good, but it can also reduce stress. In one study, university students were assigned to either a control group or experimental group. Participants in both groups were exposed to a series of stressful tasks. The experimental group then listened to music for 20 minutes and the control group rested for 20 minutes. After the music therapy, the experimental group showed that music influenced lowering blood pressure. Researchers concluded classical music tends to relax the body and may stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. These results suggest music therapy as an intervention for stress reduction.[2]
Music has also been shown to have pain-relieving properties in its ability to distract the mind and alter our perception of discomfort. By focusing on the music instead of the pain, we may find that our symptoms feel less intense and more manageable.[3] A recent study found that certain kinds of music can make people feel less pain. This research, published in the Frontiers in Pain Research journal, shows that listening to favorite songs can help reduce how much pain a person feels.[4]
Enhance sessions with massage therapy music
To create a truly relaxing environment for your clients, incorporate massage therapy music as a key part of the experience. In addition to aiding relaxation and alleviating pain, music enhances the treatment session in other ways, including:
Creates a calming atmosphere: Whether you use a massage music CD or create a playlist from Spotify or some other digital music service, music that is soothing can create a relaxing experience to boost the restorative qualities of massage.
Creates an immersive experience: By blocking noise outside the treatment room, massage therapy music provides an immersive experience, removed from outside distractions.
Promotes mindfulness: Massage therapy music can help promote mindfulness, so the client is “in the moment” during the session. Tuned into the physical sensations of the massage, the client can experience a deeper sense of relaxation.
Make the most of massage therapy music
With that in mind, you want to be sure that the music you select complements your work. Massage therapy music should be in the background and not so loud or intrusive that your client thinks more about the music than the massage treatment. Also avoid music with a distinct tune or sing-along type lyrics since they can interfere with a client’s ability to relax.
Select music with the goal of building a library of selections to meet the tastes and needs of your various clients and their moods. Everyone is different. What some people might find relaxing, such as natural sounds like rain, drums or music from Indigenous cultures, others might find distracting. Survey clients to find out what works best for each one.
Spend time listening to samples of any music you consider, which includes trying out a massage music CD and other music. Listen to sample tracks online.
Here are a few other things to keep in mind about selecting a massage music CD or digital playlist.
Match the music to the session length: Make sure you match the selection to the length of the session so that you do not need to change the album, skip through tracks or have the recording begin again.
Know about licensing rights to the music: Find out if you have rights to play the music at your spa or massage practice. Just because you paid for the rights to listen to the music does not automatically give you license to transmit the music – cost free - as part of your business operation.
Offer massage music CDs as part of your retail operation: If your clients love the music you play, they should have the opportunity to purchase it as well. That is why it’s helpful to know as you build your collection what types of music clients like.
The power of music cannot be overstated. As an accompaniment to a relaxing and healing massage, music can elevate the treatment to a new level. The right music combined with touch therapies are the perfect antidote for today’s hectic lifestyles.
[1] “Music ‘releases mood – enhancing chemical in the brain’”, BBC News, January 9. 2011. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-12135590
[2] Lee KS, Jeong HC, Yim JE, Jeon MY. Effects of music therapy on the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system in stress-induced university students: a randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2016;22(1):59-65. doi:10.1089/acm.2015. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2015.0079
[3] “The Role of Music in Massage Therapy,” Spa theory, Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.spatheory.com/spa-theory-wellness-beauty-blog/role-of-music-in-massage-therapy
[4] “Music Can Help Reduce the Intensity of Pain,” Times Now Digital, March 3, 2023. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/health-news/music-can-help-reduce-the-intensity-of-pain-as-per-a-new-study/ar-AA1j72AM