How can harp music be therapeutic?
The soothing sounds of harp strings can be of great comfort to anyone experiencing the stress of illness, pain, or anxiety. Whereas the live harp visit suggests a visual sense of peace, recorded harp music is also a welcome presence, offering support in a sacred space in times of delicate health or difficult emotional issues. Therapeutic harp music can be a profound comfort during childbirth, massage, illness, or bereavement; in operating rooms, cancer centers, hospices, home, schools, workplace, or any atmosphere or situation where there may be stress. A study conducted by the International Harp Therapy Program indicated that after listening to therapeutic harp music, 91% of 200 patients experienced relief of anxiety, and 72% reported a reduction in pain. What is unique about the harp as a therapeutic instrument? The harp is a distinctive instrument for therapy in that the full pitch range of the harp can vibrate the entire body. The rich tonal vibrations of the harp pulsate and can r