Music can be an unexpected ally in the fight against acute back pain. According to a study published in the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine (WJEM), listening to your favorite tracks in the emergency room reduces anxiety levels, and with it, discomfort.
In an experiment, patients with severe back pain listened to music of their choice for just 10 minutes. After that, doctors recorded a noticeable reduction in pain both at rest and during movement. Scientists explain: the effect is not associated with eliminating the cause of the pain, but with reducing anxiety and distraction.
The method turned out to be simple and affordable — patients were given headphones and a player with a music subscription. “It costs almost nothing, but helps relieve suffering without side effects,” the study authors note.
They believe music could become part of a core set of non-invasive patient support methods in hospitals. Doctors are already experimenting with using it in other scenarios, from simple procedures to addiction therapy.
