Music to support pain relief…

Jenny was transferred from ICU in a major public hospital, into a surgical ward to continue her care and recovery. Jenny’s husband worked full time and she had not seen him as much and was missing her home and dog. Jenny knew she was going to be in hospital for another unknown period of time due to her complex care. Jenny was referred to music therapy by the nursing staff to see if music could help her mood, distract her from pain and to help her in her motivation toward recovery. The music therapist arrived with her guitar and introduced herself. Jenny introduced herself and said she was waiting on pain relief from the nurses. Jenny also shared that she had spent most of her time in bed but was ready to sit up in a chair in her room. Jenny had not experienced music therapy before but loved music and going to concerts. Jenny looked like she was in discomfort. Jenny was reluctant to move before she had taken pain relief. The music therapist suggested she could sit with her while we wait and find some songs she liked or knew and she could listen or even join in if she liked. Jenny and the music therapist spent the next 15min finding songs, and quietly playing the guitar. Jenny sometimes sang and also closed her eyes to listen. Jenny appeared to relax and looked less stressed in her face and body. When the nurse did come, Jenny suggested she could try and sit out first and then take some pain relief. When Jenny was settled in her chair, she looked brighter and said she felt she could cope better now with her pain until her medication began to work. The music therapist spent a little longer talking with Jenny about her time in hospital and her plans once she gets home. They agreed that the music therapist could come back at the same time tomorrow to support Jenny to get her day on the ward started and practice together, some more relaxation techniques using music.