A harmonious way to manage pain after surgery

Have you ever thought about making a playlist to help you relax for a medical procedure? It turns out that music and medicine might just be the perfect harmony. 

Studies show that listening to music during or after surgery may decrease postsurgical anxiety and pain. In fact, the research found those who listened to music after surgery used half the amount of pain medication. 

“I think patients are often more relaxed when music is played while they receive anesthesia and also during their procedure,” says Anthony Williams, an orthopedic surgery physician assistant at Advocate Health Care. “Plus, now we are learning from research it also lowers their pain levels afterward.” 

Medical teams have played music in operating rooms for more than a century. It’s often used as a way for surgeons to relax themselves and their surgical teams. Now, the use of music before and after surgery is starting to gain acceptance as a cost-effective, noninvasive intervention for patients. 

Plus, with the availability of smart devices, such as phones and tablets, practically anybody can quickly pull up their favorite playlist. Talk to your health care provider about their practices regarding music during procedures. 

More research is needed on whether it makes a difference who chooses the music or what genre of music is chosen for use before, during and after surgical procedures performed under local or general anesthesia. 

“Given the results of recent studies, it seems that providing music during surgical procedures is a safe and effective intervention health care providers can offer that provides benefits for everyone in the room,” Williams says. 

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