Take two arias and call me in the morning...

Throughout history, people have believed that music has the power to cure all manners of ailments. In biblical times, King Saul ordered David to play his lyre to sooth his anxiety and stress. Traditional Native American healing rituals have always included singing as a primary component. Then there is English playwright William Congreve who famously wrote, "Music has charms to soothe the savage breast."

Today there is the field of music therapy, whose practitioners offer improved quality of life to patients with issues such as physical disabilities, brain injuries, and Alzheimer's disease. Over 70 American universities offer approved degree programs in the field. However, Austrian musician Vera Brandes has taken this practice a step further, as can be seen in this interesting article in the New York Times. Ms. Brandes believes that she can prescribe music the way doctors prescribe traditional medicines, sending patients home with an iPod of specially chosen music to help treat psychosomatic disorders, pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and certain types of arrhythmia.

Researchers are only just now understanding the effects of music on the brain, so it isn't so far-fetched to think that specific types of music can improve an individual's well-being. What do our readers think? Does anyone have any examples of the healing power of music? Please share them in the comments section. And might I prescribe for everyone a dose of John Coltrane's A Love Supreme for whatever ails you...