Surgery Music Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Surgical Serenity Solutions

Why do you need headphones and music during surgery?

Having surgery is a dangerous thing, but sometimes not having surgery is more dangerous. If you’ve been told that you need to have surgery, there are certain risks you will want to be aware of:

Anesthesia reactions:

Most problems that arise during surgery are the result of the surgery, not the sedation for the procedure. While uncommon, there are very serious complications that can occur if a patient has a reaction to the anesthesia drugs.

Most problems associated with anesthesia are related to the process of intubation, or inserting the breathing tube. Aspiration, or breathing food or fluid into the lungs, can be a problem, during surgery. Some patients also experience an increased heart rate or elevated blood pressure during the process.

The problem of anesthesia awareness has been discussed a great deal in the media, but waking during surgery or being awake throughout the surgery, is a very rare when anesthesia is provided by an anesthesiologist or a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

Malignant hyperthermia, a reaction to anesthesia that causes the patient’s temperature to rise rapidly, is life threatening. A patient who has had malignant hyperthermia in the past has a significant increase in risk and should discuss the issue with their surgeon and anesthesia provider. (information can be found on http://surgery.about.com/od/beforesurgery/a/RisksSurgery.htm)

How can music help? When patients have begun relaxing before their procedure with slow, familiar, favorite music, it is only natural that their bodies and muscles are not as tense and therefore the patient can be put to sleep more easily and with less anesthesia. When the music is continued, through cordless headphones, througout the surgery, the patient’s body stays relaxed and music with a steady, slow pulse, synchronizes the heartrate and breathing. Again, because the body is staying relaxed with the slow, steady music, less anesthesia is needed and the patient wakes up soon, still listening to the music through headphones, and requires less pain medication.

Several studies are in process right now, around the U.S. and doctors, hospitals, and patients are quite excited about the possibilities of a safer and a kinder procedure. The headphones that I have programmed with the ideal music for surgery are available now and can be overnighted to you if you need them quickly. If you have financial constraints, let me know and I will work with you to be able to get them. One day, music and headphones will be available in hospitals around the world. Don’t wait!

By DrAlice|March 23, 2012|Anesthesia, Dangers and Side-effects of anesthesia, Headphones for other medical procedures, Rhythmic entrainment, Surgery Music|0 Comments

Music and Surgery: Music Medicine or Music Therapy?

Music Medicine or Music Therapy

Many people use the terms “music medicine” and “music therapy” interchangeably. To me, it’s not a big deal, but to some people, it is a huge deal. My mentor, Dr. Arthur Harvey, explained it to me like this: in order to conduct a music therapy session, a music therapist must be present. It is the therapeutic relationship between the music therapist “doing” music with the patient that creates the result. Music therapy is what worked miracles with Gaby Giffords. Music therapy is a wonderful, fantastic modality for many situations, especially situations needing rehabilitation.

This is not true with music medicine. The use of music during surgery is an example of music medicine. In this situation, the music, as chosen by a clinical musicologist for its unique properties and suitability for pre-surgery, surgery, and recovery works all by itself.

How does Music Medicine help during surgery?

Patient awakening from surgery using the surgical serenity headphones

When played for the patient through wireless, lightweight headphones, well-documented benefits result! The surgery suite needs a surgeon, an anesthesiologist and several nurses and surgery techs. They do not need one extra person!

Not only is it about having one more person in the operating room, but most hospitals only have 3-4 music therapists on staff during any given shift and those wonderful music therapists are working with cancer patients, children with cerebral palsy and other disease, or possibly in the hospice setting. Sending a music therapist to the surgery suite almost never happens.

Surgical Serenity Solutions is hoping to change that!

This may not sound earth-shaking to you, but in a litigious society, and a hospital community that is terrified of lawsuits and staph infections, the surgery headphones provide a lot of comfort and benefits for both patient and doctor. The anesthesiologist gets the patient to sleep more easily because the patient is already relaxed by music. The patients wake up faster and with fewer complications, because they required less anesthesia. In recovery, they require less pain medication because the soothing music and the entrainment phenomenon have kept the patient relaxed and therefore they experience less pain.

How can I get these headphones for myself or my hospital?

Nurses are using music in the ICU more than ever before.

We have our pre-loaded headphones in hospitals around the world right now and are working with new hospitals to get our headphones into their operating rooms for all patients. If you or a friend or a family member is having surgery, please be sure that they have the information about music and surgery!

To purchase our pre-loaded headphones, go to https://www.surgicalserenitysolutions.com/patient-headphones

To purchase our pre-loaded headphones for your hospital or surgery center, go to www.surgicalserenitysolutsion.com/hospitalheadphones

To hear samples of our five therapeutic playlists, in five different genres, go to www.surgicalserenitysolutions.com/calm

Here’s to your successful surgery, whether as patient or physician!

By DrAlice|December 1, 2011|Anesthesia, Characteristics of music for surgery, Common Fears in Surgery, Music in the hospital, Rhythmic entrainment, Surgery Music|1 Comment

Surgery with Music Series Post #22: Can anyone benefit from music during surgery?

Surgery with music

Can anyone benefit from surgery with music? Well, do you love music? Does it relax you, comfort you, make you feel safe and secure? Are there lots and lots of songs and pieces that remind you of happy times and all of the people you love? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, there is an excellent chance that you would benefit from music during your procedure. Before and after your procedure, I think it’s a great idea to listen to the music that is especially meaningful to you. During your surgery, whether you’re using a regional anesthesia or general anesthesia, research shows that purely instrumental music that has a slow, steady beat and a soothing, calming mood is best.

Ideally, everyone would be able to create their own playlist for their surgery, but that’s not very realistic. Most people are a little bit rattled when they find out that they need surgery and sitting down to choose their favorite music and loading it methodically onto their Ipod is just not going to happen. Then too, many older people wouldn’t know how to put music on an iPod anyway.

In addition, unless you have a brand-new iPod, your’s is likely pretty germy and not something that you want to bring into the operating room.

This is why I decided to create some pre-programmed, cordless headphones that would have the perfect, slow, steady, soothing music for surgery. The headphones are lightweight and have no cord so that they can’t get tangled with any medical equipment. The music was chosen by a clinical musicologist who has studied this for over 20 years. If you have been told that you need surgery and if you love music and would like to experience the many benefits of music during surgery, click HERE. If you have any questions, please don’t hestitate to contact me through this blog.

By DrAlice|June 23, 2011|Characteristics of music for surgery, Common Fears in Surgery, Headphones for other medical procedures, How music works, Music in the hospitals, Surgery Music|0 Comments

Surgery with Music Series Post #21: Is there scientific research on benefits of music with surgery?

Another great question that was sent in by a reader. The short answer is “YES.” There is so much research on the use of music before and after surgery that I can not list all the studies here. You may remember that I spoke at the Cleveland Clinic Florida about recent research in music with surgery and there I had chosen the most recent 15 or so studies from over the past decade.

The highlights of this research can be found HERE. You will see that studies have been done not only at well-known institutions such as Yale University, but also from around the world. Most of the studies focus on music before and after surgery, but increasingly, research is now being conducted on music during surgery. Currently out surgery headphones are the focus of a medical study at the VA Hospital here in Louisville, KY and results should be available by the end of this year.

There are so many documented benefits of music surrounding surgery and other medical procedures. Do you want to take less anxiety medication before, less anesthesia during, and less pain medication afterwards? Do you want to recover faster and side-step the effects of so many medications? Do you want to avoid the “brain fog” that often hangs on for weeks and weeks after surgery? Then go HERE and order your surgery headphones!

By DrAlice|June 22, 2011|Anesthesia, Common Fears in Surgery, Dangers and Side-effects of anesthesia, Headphones for other medical procedures, Surgery Music|0 Comments

Surgery with Music Series Post #20: How difficult is it to find the pre-programmed headphones for surgery?

If you have just found out that you need surgery for any given condition, you’ll want to get the headphones as soon as possible. Having the ability to listen to this music for an hour or so a day leading up to the surgery will allow you to condition your body to relax when the music starts.

It’s also good to be able to let your doctor know that you want to use music during the surgery in case he has questions about doing this. Although most doctors are fine with the idea once they understand the considerable research behind them, some doctors will balk. A few people have reported that their doctor allowed them to wear the headphones until the surgery and immediately afterwards, but not during.

If you are going to a large, cutting-edge facility, it’s possible that they will already have the headphones ready to go for you, but in smaller communities and hospitals, you’ll probably have to bring your own! As I said above, though, just be sure to let the doctor you’ll be bringing in your own music and player.

The only surgery that the headphones might not work for would be brain surgery and even then they could possibly be worn. Anything new always has many skeptics at first, but these surgical serenity headphones are rapidly gaining credibility in the medical world. I think the fact that the Cleveland Clinic has brought be in to do a Grand Rounds presentation is proof enough that they are a great idea!

Even if your surgery is less than a week away, I can probably get them to you if you’re willing to pay overnight postage. Just go to www.surgicalheadphones.com and you can order either the headphones or a download of my proprietary music, chosen especially for it’s characteristics. You can put the music on your own iPod or MP3 player if you prefer, but the cordless headphones are the easiest and most convenient! Best wishes on your procedure!

By DrAlice|June 20, 2011|Characteristics of music for surgery, Headphones for other medical procedures, How music works, Music in the hospital, Surgery Music|1 Comment

Surgery with Music Series Post #15: Talking with your Surgeon about Using Music

Today many surgeons and anesthesiologists are aware of the benefits of music before, during and after the surgical procedure. But occasionally, a patient comes to me or calls me saying that their surgeon doesn’t like the idea? Why? Usually because the surgeon has not read all of the latest research on the the many benefits that music brings to the situation. Some surgeons don’t understand the concept of entrainment, whereby the vibration of the music causes your heart and breathing to slow down and synchronize with the music. Even after your ears cease to hear the music through the headphones, the vibrations of this music cause your inner rhythms of heartbeat and music to synchronize with that tempo and all with the mood of the music which is peaceful and serene. For that reason, it really doesn’t even matter if you like classical music or not because when you are deeply “asleep” under the anesthesia, you won’t even hear the music as music!

I’ve actually written a free report entitled “How to Talk with Your Doctor About Using Music with your Surgery.” Just click on this link to get it for free! Don’t miss out on this important step of the process!

By DrAlice|June 15, 2011|Anesthesia, Characteristics of music for surgery, Common Fears in Surgery, Dangers and Side-effects of anesthesia, Headphones for other medical procedures, How music works, Surgery Music|2 Comments

Surgery with Music Series Post #10: How does music affect other medication requirements

This is such a simple concept, and yet, very few hospitals or sugery centers implement therapeutic music. There are many, many studies that document that music pre- and post-surgery can decrease the use of anxiety medications before and pain medication afterwards. Studies have been conducted on major hospitals and universities all over the world. As recently as April 1, 2011 I presented a Grand Rounds at Cleveland Clinic Florida that went over the top studies for music before, during and after surgery. To see highlights of this, click HERE.

How does it work? Before surgery, when you put on the headphones, the music enters your brain through the 8th cranial nerve. Within moments, you close your eyes and your heartrate and breathing begin to slow down and become steady. You begin to relax, naturally, and the need for I.V. anxiety medication greatly reduces. After surgery, the headphones are again used as you move into the recovery area and your body stays relaxed as you come out from under the anesthesia.

The recovery room is known for it’s busy-ness and (often) lack of peace and quiet. In today’s crowded hospitals, nurses are trying to take care of many patients at the same time and those without music are often moaning and crying out. Those with the headphones are not only staying relaxed, but the headphones help block out other patients cries and sounds of pain and discomfort.

Some hospitals have tried having CD players at bedside, but that doesn’t work nearly as well as the pre=programmed headphones. A recent patient wrote this to me:

I kept expecting to be nervous as the date of surgery rolled around but couldn’t seem to summon up any anxiety
My blood pressure has dropped to normal limits
I “knew ” I wouldn’t be able to sleep prior to surgery but guess what I slept well
I was calm and relaxed before surgery
The dentist and staff tucked me in, made sure I had my music (I had my i POD set to repeat ) and away we went.
Post -op I was still relaxed – had a sleep and had little pain- I had a bunch of work done – I did take an Advil at bedtime just for “insurance” but really didn’t need it.
My mouth is healing beautifull

Thank you for the wonderful music.

Blessings, Anne

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to leave them as comments on this blog and I will get right back to you!

By DrAlice|June 11, 2011|Anesthesia, Characteristics of music for surgery, Common Fears in Surgery, Headphones for other medical procedures, How music works, Music in the hospitals, Surgery Music, Surgical Headphones reviews|0 Comments

Surgery with Music Series: Post #4 “Side-effects of surgery”

No one wants to have surgery, but sometimes it really is necessary if you want to continue with your life. Surgical procedures have dramtically improved over the last 50-60 years and most surgeries are completed with no problems whatsoever. Unfortunately, even when the surgery is completely successful, recovery from surgery can be difficult and stressful.

Of course there is no such thing as a “typical surgery.” Surgery includes everything from a Cesarean section for deliver a baby to heart bypass surgery, to joint replacements. No matter what the surgery, certain after-effects can be expected: nausea, pain, grogginess, sleepiness, tiredness, weakness, dizzyness, difficulty walking, stand, sitting, sleeping and many more. Luckily these things don’t last forever, but often there is a correlation with how long these side-effects last and how much anesthesia the patient had. It’s hard to separate the side-effects of surgery from the side-effects of anesthesia, but we do know that the less anesthesia you can get by with, the faster you’ll recover and also have the least number of side-effects.

One of the best ways to reduce the likely amount of anesthesia you’ll need is to use music through headphones for 30-60 minutes before your surgery begins. This allows your body to slow down and relax and when you begin the procedure already relaxed, less anesthesia will be required to put you under. It’s important that the music be very steady, purely instrumental music with the tempo of the healthy resting heartbeat. This way, your own heartbeat and breathing can synchronize or entrain with the music you’re hearing through headphones.

If you continue to wear the headphones into the recovery area, research shows that there can be a greatly reduced amount of pain medication needed…another way to keep you from experiencing nearly as many of the side-effects. If you or a friend has surgery scheduled, please consider using music with your surgery!

By DrAlice|June 5, 2011|Anesthesia, Characteristics of music for surgery, Common Fears in Surgery, Dangers and Side-effects of anesthesia, Headphones for other medical procedures, Music and Anesthesia, Music in the hospital, Surgery Music|0 Comments

Music and Surgery 30-day series: Post #2 “Fears about Surgery”

So you’ve just been told that you need to have surgery. The fears and anxiety are running through your mind and all over your body like an army of tiny spiders. THINK of all the things that might go wrong! You could end of paralyzed, you could end up dead! They may take the wrong thing out and leave you with a damaged or sick body part. Maybe the anesthesia will not work but they don’t know it and you feel every single knife stroke and pull. Enough!

Chances are, everything will be just fine. Serious accidents and mistakes in surgery are truly rare, but they do happen. How can you help yourself in this situation? By doing exactly what you’re doing…going to the internet and searching for high-quality information about your specific type of situation and the recommended surgery. You might also want to get a second or even a third opinion! I was recently told that I needed plastic surgery on my face to remove a cyst. I visited a plastic surgeon who confirmed this. Then I visited a second plastic surgeon who said “I wouldn’t rush into that. I’d give it 8-9 months and see how it does.” I was never so relieved in my life! I’ll probably wait at least another month or so now and then visit one more plastic surgeon for a consult.

In the final analysis, it’s your body and only you can decide this. If you DO decide to proceed, one thing you can do before, during and after surgery is to take in lightweight, cordless headphones that are pre-programmed with the best music for surgery. This music has been tested around the world and the consensus is unanimous. Every person has said that they would use them again!

No one wants to have surgery, but if surgery is needed, add some soothing, calming, comforting music to the equation! You can end up having less anesthesia, less pain medication and an overall more positive experience!

By DrAlice|June 3, 2011|Anesthesia, Characteristics of music for surgery, Common Fears in Surgery, Dangers and Side-effects of anesthesia, Headphones for other medical procedures, Music and Anesthesia, Music in the hospital, Surgery Music, Surgical Headphones reviews|0 Comments

The beginnings of a 30-day series on Music with Surgery

Dr. Cash was brought in to the Cleveland Clinic Florida to teach surgeons and anesthesiologists about music and surgery

More and more people around the world are becoming aware of the many benefits of music during surgery. It’s a strange paradox because you know that music affects you powerfully and that you can easily reach for the music you love best, whether to relax you or energize you. However, you have been told by “the professionals” that when you’re under general anesthesia that your hearing chut downs and you can’t hear anything. And so, for decades no one thought that music during surgery made any sense.

The problem is, there are hundreds and hundreds of personal stories from patients who have been under general anesthesia waking up and realizing that they did hear conversations going on. Patients say that they heard things that they wish they had not heard. There is no question that when people have certain surgeries such as joint replacement surgery–hip replacements, knee replacements, shoulder replacements–there is actually hammering, drilling and sawing going on. Who wants to hear that?

Why is music during general anesthesia a good idea? All because of the phenomenon of rhythmic entrainment! Scientists have known of this powerful phenomenon for hundreds of years, but apparently, no one considered that if the patient listened through headphones to music that has a slow, steady pulse and a relaxing mood, that their heartrate and breathing would entrain or synchronize with that music and keep the patient more relaxed. When the patient is more relaxed, less anesthesia and analgesia is needed and the patient can have a safer procedure and return to work or home faster.

There are so many other benefits as well and also there are copious benefits for regional anesthesia, local anesthesia and for many other medical procedures. Stay tuned for this unique and ground-breaking series on the use and benefits of music during surgery! Also, feel free to post any questions or comments you might have!

By DrAlice|June 2, 2011|Characteristics of music for surgery, Common Fears in Surgery, Dangers and Side-effects of anesthesia, Headphones for other medical procedures, Music and Anesthesia, Music in the hospital, Music with Brain Surgery, Surgery Music|0 Comments