by Alisabeth Hopper | Oct 14, 2017 | MTC
Approximately 100 million Americans will suffer from chronic pain this year. That is compared to 25.8 million Americans who will suffer from Diabetes, 16.3 million Americans with Coronary Heart Disease, 7.0 million who will incur a stroke, and 11.9 million who will be diagnosed with Cancer (American Academy of Pain Medicine). The incidence of chronic pain is astronomical.
You may be wondering, what is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is any pain that lasts more than 12 weeks. Chronic pain may have an injury or cause associated like herniated or slipped spinal discs, major bodily injuries injuring nerves or nervous system responses, fibromyalgia, or they can have no apparent cause at all.
What are the common effects of chronic pain?
The most common effects of chronic pain include “fatigue, sleep disturbance, decreased appetite, and mood changes… reduced flexibility, strength, and stamina” which occur alongside the chronic pain and often lead to anxiety, depression, isolation, and senses of helplessness (Medline Plus).
This is my story, and how I am overcoming my chronic pain every day.
I was a 22 when I was diagnosed with my first slipped spinal disc. It was a lower back injury and very common. I sought some support from a chiropractor which alleviated much of my pain for the time being. When I was 23 I was diagnosed with my second slipped spinal disc, this time it was an upper back (cervical) injury. The pain was significantly worse and this time I tried medication. The muscle relaxers would help me sleep at night, but I hated the idea that I might need them long term, so I tried Physical Therapy. PT was a great therapeutic tool for me in reducing and managing my pain.
One month after I received my second diagnosis of a slipped spinal disc I saw my physician for my regular appointment.
For all of my life I have struggled with severe gut pain, food aversions, joint pain throughout my body and other minor health issues. In light of my pain, my physician started looking at the bigger picture and found that my body was working against me, instead of with me and she said the words “auto-immune disease”.
How I Got Through My Worst Year of Pain In The Best Way
- Understanding what triggered me- some of my pain triggers are weather related, but I noticed that I was often pushing my body too hard and creating injury on top of injury. I learned to give myself permission to step back and say no, not yet or no, not today.
- Safe, No Judgement Strength Building- My pain had made me almost entirely sedentary. By the time I had finished work I could barely move and would have shooting pains throughout my legs, back, arms, neck, and stiffness in my hands and feet. I started small. I walked around the block one time, then twice, then I jogged, then I ran. This momentum led to biking, and now I lift weights- yes weights! When I lost muscle tone it was difficult to do anything. Now I have the strength to safely lift and carry my groceries without causing nerve and joint pain.
- Openness to treatments- Try diet modification, massages, essential oils, light exercise, chiropractic care, physical therapy, music therapy, try everything! See what works and what makes you feel even the slightest bit better and continue with those things.
- Using My Coping Skills- This is where things started to shift. I noticed that after 6 months my pain was decreasing and becoming much more manageable, but there was something that felt looming over my health journey- my mental health. I, like many people, have always struggled with anxiety and managing that can be very difficult. When I feel it becoming overwhelming I use a few simple coping skills. I like to meditate, read, retreat from social environments for a short time, or call someone I trust and love. These things decrease the weight of my stress and help fight loneliness and despair.
- Taking Care of Myself- Practice self love! You only have one body, so many days, and so many nights. At one point I had to choose whether I wanted to hate the body I was given and the pain it causes, or whether I was going to love the body I was given and the days and moments it gives me. We aren’t given many choices in life, but this one is yours!
- I Gave Myself the Gift of Patience- This was the hardest part. At one point I remember crying as I was talking with my husband on the phone saying “Im doing everything right I just want the pain to be gone and be done with it”. Healing doesn’t happen immediately, or steadily. It doesn’t always move forward, sometimes we backslide. This one was the toughest: though it may decrease, it may never be completely gone from my life. I had to learn the hard way to give myself and my body patience. No expectations. Every minute with no pain is a gift and every day is still a good day, because my pain can’t take that from me.
In January of 2015 my pain was almost unbearable. I could barely make it through a work day without crying. Now I would say 6/7 days are good days with minimal and manageable pain. I feel like I took my life back.
Over time I modified my diet, started taking multivitamins, started walking, then running, then biking, and finally, I got a gym membership. I get massages when I can to reduce the tension I am placing on my body. But most importantly, I started taking care of my mental health. I was able to use some of my favorite music therapy techniques to help myself in my own time of need during this difficult journey and what a difference it made! I specifically use relaxation, meditation, and song analysis techniques to create a sense of peace and comfort where I may not have that otherwise.
As a music therapist I tailor our therapeutic services to each individual’s particular background and ever-changing and varying needs. These are just some techniques shown to help those with chronic pain.
- Music Assisted Relaxation- A relaxation technique used to engage and relax the mind.
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation- A relaxation technique used to isolate muscles and relax them independently.
- Song Analysis- In this technique we break down a given song and discuss some of its inner workings to process it more deeply.
- Development of Coping Skills- This is wide reaching and often addressed throughout sessions. Coping skills are essential to processing the world around us without feeling overwhelmed.
- Songwriting- Writing ones own song is a detailed act of self-expression. With the support of the therapist clients can write and even record their own songs.
If you or someone you know suffers from chronic pain and may benefit from music therapy services please send them a link to this blog post or register below.
Wishing you all a blessed day.
by Alisabeth Hopper | Oct 2, 2017 | MTC
I had originally planned to write about something entirely different… until I woke up this morning.
I heard the news about the tragedy in Las Vegas and my heart broke. After seeing the news on my phone, I noticed the time and that I had to leave soon. I made my tea and left for the gym as I always do on Mondays. I started on the treadmill, eyes glued to the live coverage in front of me. When my time was up at 8:30, I left for work.
As most of us do, I felt stoic, overwhelmed, and deeply saddened by the happenings in Vegas but when I arrived at my first classroom, my first set of clients, my first room of people we made music together. It was fun; we laughed, redirected behavior, and laughed some more.
Then at the end of that session, an adult and fellow professional in the room simply said “thank you for music”. That was it. What can I do? I can make more music. I need to make more music.
For clients and students- we will still make music
For celebrations and festivals- we will still make music
For lullabies to a newborn- we will still make music
For weddings and love- we will still make music
For memories, dancing, and joy- we will still make music
In the face of tragedy- we will still make music
Not because we should, but because we must.
by Alisabeth Hopper | Sep 13, 2017 | MTC
It occurred to me last week that there are a few questions that it seems everyone asks before beginning Music Therapy services. I wanted to take a moment and share with you my honest answers as a board certified music therapist!
- What exactly is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is the application of evidenced based therapeutic techniques with music by a board certified music therapist.
- How can Music Therapy help my child, family member, or self?
Music therapy can be effective for many people struggling with autism, cerebral palsy, genetic disorders, mental health, trauma, and more! We cater every wholistic music therapy session to the needs of each individual client and their primary needs.
- What is the difference between Music Therapy and lessons?
Music lessons are focused on musical goals and the progression of musical skills. Whereas, music therapy is focused on non-musical goals like increasing self-expression, improving communication, and increasing coping skills.
- How often will I attend Music Therapy?
Each music therapy session has a set time and is offered on a weekly basis for twelve weeks. At that point clients are given a report of their progress and possibilities for future goals and growth!
- How can I register for Music Therapy services?
Click on the button below to register for music therapy services and someone from our team will email you shortly!
by Alisabeth Hopper | Sep 6, 2017 | Lessons, MTC
At Music Therapy Connections, we have people with a wide variety of experience and talents come through our doors. I think I can speak for our team when I say that we love using our expertise to serve the community in this way!
We have 5 year old beginners and 60 year old beginners. We have guitarists, vocalists, and pianists alike. I have a special place in my heart (and schedule) for homeschool students!
I know that many homeschooled students have limited options for exploring the arts within their school days. Our teachers offer music lessons focusing on those foundational musical skills and terms that students would otherwise learn in school music classes. Students learn how to execute new skills and are able to learn at their own pace with a 1:1 teacher.
Best of all, we are happy to offer daytime lessons! We have availability during the regular school day hours, so your student won’t miss a beat!
Are you ready to expand your student’s repertoire of skills?
Register below!
by Rachel | Aug 28, 2017 | Lessons, MTC
Next in the “Teacher Feature” lineup is Reid Muchow! Reid has been teaching at MTC for 2 years. He is a Springfield native and currently teaches percussion, piano, guitar, and vocals. Reid has lived in both Chicago and New Orleans as part of his musical journey, and has a huge variety of experience that he pulls from when working with all of his students. We asked Reid to tell us a little more about himself. Check out what he shared:
Tell us about your background.
I started playing drums on a drum set that I made out of boxes and duct tape. I played drums throughout high school and discovered my dad’s record collection which exposed me to genres like jazz, soul, funk, classical, and rock. This gave me an interest in learning many different instruments and in many styles of music. I studied music with professor Jane Hartman at LLCC in Springfield, IL for a 2 years and moved to Chicago in 2008 to study jazz music at Roosevelt University studying with drummer Paul Wertico (Pat Metheny Group), music theorist Scott Mason and composition and arrangement with Tom Garling(Buddy Rich, Maynard Fergusson).
After graduating in 2011, I performed internationally and nationally with several groups including Chicago based-groups The O’My’s, And The Heard and currently I am in Memphis blues artist Brandon Santini’s band.
What else have you done musically?
- Performed at Lollapalooza 2011
- Played at Edmonton Blues Fest in 2016
- Performed with Chance The Rapper
- Been on an album that’s been in the Billboard top 100 (ZZ Ward – Til’ The Casket Drops 2012) playing drums
- Currently on Grammy nominated Chicago artist Vic Mensa’s 2017 album The Autobiography playing drums
What is your favorite:
Color – Red
Food – Pizza
Game – Monopoly
Day of the week – Friday
Non-musical activity – Yoga
Music to play – anything as long as it’s good music!
Do you have a weird talent? I can pop my toes without my hands
What else do you enjoy doing? I enjoy playing with my 2 cats Lucy and Simba, reading, doing yoga and exercise, cooking, recording music, and spending time with my girlfriend Rachel.
For more about Reid, check out his personal website: reidmuchow.com
by Alisabeth Hopper | Jul 31, 2017 | MTC, Reflections
I love that the title of this post sounds eerily like an old holiday movie. When I was in our supervision meeting last Thursday it just came to me, mostly because this week we are spending our time at the office finalizing all of our preparations for our new intern!
We all get excited when we are welcoming a new intern, but for me it all feels a bit different because I was the first intern at Music Therapy Connections. I’ve been right there in each new intern’s shoes.
I remember my internship orientation day very clearly. I was excited, very nervous, and undecided as to which emotion I identified with more from minute to minute. My palms were sweaty as Rachel, Katey, and I sorted through all of the orientation material and formalities. Of course we finalized our first day with a Starbucks run (because let’s be honest, everything is better with Starbucks.)
And as I sat at this teeny tiny circular table that wobbled back and forth exposing the sun from the umbrella before tucking it away again Katey turned to me and asked “What are your goals for yourself by the end of your internship? Where do you want to be?”
And just like that, with the snap of a finger, it was over. Six (at the time, long) months had passed and I had done it. I had graduated, passed my certification, and achieved my younger self’s dream of becoming Alisabeth Hopper, MT-BC. I was my own superhero.
Now I’m preparing to start this process again with Rachel, Katey, again but in a very different role. I will be sitting on the other side of the table. I have many hopes for our new intern as her great potential is evident to all of us. More than anything, I am hopeful that these six months will be as growth-filled, life-changing, and light-giving as they were for me.
As for the future, I’m not sure exactly what that looks like right now. But I’m pretty sure there will be more interns to come and more journeys to be had.
Until then,
AH
