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Did you know that music therapy existed in ancient times? The similarity of the Traditional Chinese characters for "medicine" and "music" explains the close association between them. Based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) medical classic Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, Five Phases Music Therapy (FPMT) uses the theory of yin and yang, five elements to correspond to the five tones, linking the five tones (Jue, Zhi, Gong, Shang and Yu) with the five organs (Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lungs and Kidneys) as well as the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water), which resonates with the vibrations in the body (e.g., pulse, respiration, etc.) through the different scales of tones emitted from the music. That resonance creates a therapeutic effect within the body.

Figure 1: Relating the five tones to the five elements and five organs.

Functions and Indications of Five Phases Music Therapy

Music can regulate emotions and make the mood happy. In TCM psychology, listening to music can make the tunes, organs and emotions resonate and interact with each other, so as to regulate emotions, regulate qi, blood flow and improve the function of internal organs, thereby maintaining the dynamic balance of the body's qi and improve the well-being of the human body. FPMT is widely used in clinical practice in China, it is not only suitable for management of insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, but also as an adjunctive therapy of COVID-19, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer rehabilitation to improve the symptoms.

Characteristics of Five Tones

The “Jue” tone is equivalent to solfege syllable "Mi", the tune is energetic and full of vitality, its sound is long and high, with the characteristic of "Wood", it is associated with the liver, thus helps to regulate the liver function; the “Zhi” tone is equivalent to the solfege syllable "Sol", the tune is lively and light, full of warmth and cheerful melody, its sound is high and sharp, with the characteristics of "Fire", it is associated with the heart, thus helps to nourish the heart; the “Gong” tone is equivalent to the solfege syllable "Do", the tune is solemn and quiet, its sound is thick and deep, with the characteristics of "Earth", it is associated with the spleen, thus helps to regulate the spleen and stomach function; the “Shang” tone is equivalent to the solfege syllable "Re", the tune is full of resounding and majestic melodies, its sound is loud and strong, with the characteristics of "Gold", it is associated to the lungs, thus helps to regulate the lungs function; the “Yu” tone is equivalent to the solfege syllable "La", the tune is pale and soft, full of mournful melodies, its sound is deep and low, with the characteristics of "Water", it is associated to the kidneys, thus helps to nourish the kidneys.

Common symptoms associated with the five organs and examples of music pieces associated with the five tones

Symptoms related to the liver include negative emotions such as depression, anger, menstrual cramps, breast tenderness and pain, dry eyes, and being easily startled. Suitable music pieces include "Eighteen beats on the Hujia" (Hu Jia Shi Ba Pai), "Zhuang Zhou's Dream of Butterfly” (Zhuang Zhou Meng Die) and "Lie Zi Rides the Wind" (Lie Zi Yu Feng). The best time to enjoy the music is from 7pm to 11pm.

Symptoms related to the heart include insomnia, panic attacks and chest discomfort. Suitable music pieces include "Purple Bamboo Melody" (Zi Zhu Diao), "Full of Joy" (Xi Yang Yang) and "Higher with every step" (Bu Bu Gao). The best time to enjoy the music is between 9pm to 11pm.

Symptoms related to the spleen include bloated stomach, loose stools and fatigue. Suitable music pieces include "Ambush from All Sides" (Shi Mian Mai Fu), "Yue Guang Zou Ming Qu" and "Moonlit Night on Autumn Lake" (Qiu Hu Yue Ye). The best time to enjoy the music is during or within one hour after eating.

Symptoms related to the lungs include coughing, nasal congestion, catching cold and sweating. Suitable music pieces include “White Snow in Early Spring” (Yang Chun Bai Xue), Symphony No.3 (Di San Jiao Xiang Qu) and “Yang Guan Pass Melody” (Yang Guan San Die). The best time to enjoy the music is from 3pm to 7pm.

Symptoms related to the kidneys include frequent urination, lower back pain, and diarrhea at specific timings of 4-5am. Suitable music pieces include “Mei Hua San Nong”, “Autumn Moon over Han Palace” (Han Gong Qiu Yue) and “On the Frontier” (Sai Shang Qu). The best time to enjoy the music is from 7am to 11am.

Tips when conducting Five Phases Music Therapy

1. Music therapy can be performed 2-3 times a day for about 30 minutes eacmenth time.

2. It is best to wear headphones to avoid external interference.

3. Try not to listen to the same piece of music repeatedly during the therapy, so as to avoid listener fatigue.

4. The volume of the music should be moderate, preferably below 70 decibels.

*If you experience any medical symptoms, you should consult your doctor or any qualified healthcare professional for treatment. FPMT is intended to be used only as an adjunctive therapy.

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