It is official: Brahms is a balm (for those who like Brahms)

Cleveland Clinic researchers recently found that when people with loused-up lumbar regions listened to music for 1 hour every day, they experienced a 20 percent reduction in back pain after just 1 week.

“The effect may simply be due to music distracting your mind–or it could be that it induces muscle relaxation,” says study author Sandra Siedlecki, Ph.D., R.N. “New studies that examine the effect of music on stress hormones such as cortisol may shed more light.”

Select music that’s right for you

Don’t just flick on the radio and leave your relief to chance. In the study, those who chose their own tunes experienced significantly greater pain relief than the people given songs selected by the researchers. And it didn’t matter if the self-styled DJs listened to heavy metal or light pop.

“Different types of music had similar effects,” says Siedlecki. So make a mix of your desert-island favorites and press “play” when back pain hits. But keep the volume in check: Research shows that loud sounds—even ones you like – don’t reduce stress.

Images:  Courtesy of store.drumbum.com and allposters.com

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