A recent study suggests that listening to music could be a complementary alternative to medication for treating some forms of chronic pain. And while throwing on a pair of headphones is unlikely to fully resolve your chronic pain, it does give hope that alternative treatments could prove beneficial when opioids aren’t yielding the necessary results.

The study was very small in nature, so we can’t assume the results will be reproduced in a larger population. In fact, the research was actually a case study involving only one person – a woman who had been living with a chronic pain condition for over 20 years. She had tried different opioid regimens but they had not produced the results she had hoped for.

In the study, the woman listened to music in a number of different aspects of her life. The study wanted to explore her experience of the context in which she listened to music, the intensity and quality of pain, body mapping, memories, emotions and more. She listened to music to aid in pain and anxiety relief, to provide motivation for exercise and to improve her sleep, all with the singular focus of helping manage her pain condition. At the same time, she discontinued her opioid regimen.

Study Results

After tracking the individual for an extended period, researchers noted that she was responding positively to the music therapy. Researchers found:

• Listening to music not only provided some pain relief, but it also helped to reduce withdrawal effects after discontinuing her opioid-based treatment.

• The instrumental properties and the frequency with which music is used may influence the effectiveness of music-induced analgesia.

• The woman showed improvements in physiological and cognitive aspects, including perceived restorative sleep, which may have influenced her overall well-being and cognitive performance.

• The participant’s communications skills were also enhanced, helping her better understand her pain and destigmatize her condition.

Researchers concluded the case study by saying that music could be a powerful tool in helping manage chronic pain. Their findings suggest that music-induced analgesia involves complex cognitive and emotional mechanics, which may impact the descending pain pathway. They noted that while music therapy may not be right for everyone, music-induced analgesia may be a viable option for some individuals with chronic pain. They hope that future studies will continue to build on the idea that music could help to influence the brain and help reframe our perception of pain.

We already know that the right song can influence our mood and change our mindset, so it should come as no surprise that music could have an impact on our perception of pain. While we still stand behind more research-backed techniques like exercise and physical therapy, it may not be a bad idea to put your favorite song on the radio the next time you’re dealing with a pain flareup.

For help with your pain condition, or to talk to a specialist about your chronic pain issue, reach out to Dr. Cohn today at (952) 738-4580.