Musical Reflections

I am excited to let you know the research study “Impact of Healing Touch and Healing Harp on In-Patient Acute Care Pain” is published in the Holistic Nursing Practice. This ground-breaking study examines the concomitant use of two complementary modalities to reduce pain, anxiety and nausea in the postoperative patient population. E-mail me for more information about this exciting research!

Of all my CDs, I get the most feedback on Calm as the Night. Since 70 million Americans have sleep difficulties, perhaps Calm as the Night can help … it is a non-pharmaceutical approach and is available as a CD or download.

My intern recently compiled a list of Sleep Centers from around the country. In the near future, I will be contacting them, sharing Calm as the Night as a resource. I am excited to connect with them and the possibilities of providing this CD to their patients/clients.

In May 2006, I began volunteering with Barb Schommer (Certified Healing Touch Practitioner/Instructor) at Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury, MN.

The Woodwinds’ Integrative Therapies department recently released a research summary of our work together, “The Impact of Healing Touch with Harp Therapy on Inpatient Acute Care Pain: A Retrospective Analysis.”

We are excited to announce very positive results! The complete report will be available soon … please contact me at tami@MusicalReflections.com if you would like a copy.

A Happy Thanksgiving message from Tami Briggs (Musical Reflections’ founder) –

Thanksgiving is a favorite time to reflect on all of the things I’m grateful for.  I love to think about five things everyday. And for the year, I’m deeply grateful for:

• Your continued support, as well as your feedback, ideas and encouragement.
• All of the patients and families who allow me into their lives at a most vulnerable time of illness.
• The healthcare staff at the numerous hospitals where I’ve had the opportunity to play for those they serve.
• The opportunity to speak and play in front of thousands at healthcare conferences, sharing the special message of music and healing.
• Sharing my music with thousands on my website, as well as through retail shops and stores – on CDs, downloads, DVDs and via the AMMM Machine.
• The hundreds of people who follow me on Twitter (@HarpForHealing) and the wonderful people I am following. It is a window into people’s lives all over the world. I would never have this opportunity to connect without these unique technical programs.
• Time to enjoy my parents this week, as well as prepare for the very busy month of December.

Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

I am honored to have the opportunity to speak and play all over the country. These are some of the many 2011 highlights:

• Care Providers, Minneapolis, MN, November 2011.
• Mayo Clinic’s Quest for Quality, Rochester, MN, October 2011.
• Iowa Hospice conference, Ames, IA, October 2011.
• International Parish Nursing Symposium, St. Louis, MO, September 2011.
• American Institute of Medical Education, Santa Fe, NM, August 2011.
• Avera Sacred Heart HealthCare System; Yankton, SD, July 2011.
• The Compassionate Friends national conference; Minneapolis, MN, July 2011.
• Health Ministries Association Summit; Chicago, IL, June 2011.
• Holistic Health and Healing Institute; Woodbury, MN, June 2011.
• Healing Harp Concert at Hope Presbyterian Church; Spicer, MN, June 2011.
• Care for the Caregiver; Eau Claire, WI, May 2011.
• Mayo Clinic Cancer Care Connections; Rochester, MN, April 2011.
• Association of Professional Chaplains national conference; Dallas, TX, March 2011.
• Integrative Therapies Retreat; St. Paul, MN, February 2011.
• Washington County Senior Workers; Stillwater, MN, January 2011.

I still have some availability in 2012 … I would be happy to present/play at your special event and I look forward to working together!

I always love to have time to review what has transpired over the past months, especially reflecting on my “gigs.”

One of my favorites happened in late May in honor of Nurses Week for the HealthEast Healthcare System. Dr. Jean Watson, founder of Watson Caring Science Institute, was the featured speaker and what an awesome experience to be in her lovely presence for three days … wow!  Her work on caring science touches me deeply. Even though she focuses on nursing (and I’m not a nurse), her heart-felt message is so applicable to all of us. I’m still processing everything she said … more on this as the insights continue to “come in.”

To give Dr. Watson a break, I was invited to do a presentation, “Entraining Peace and Engaging Presence.”  While I always love to speak, sometimes the sessions are really special … and this was one of them! After Dr. Watson had created such a loving, sacred space, my job was easy. Our messages are so congruent … music can be one important component to creating a healing, caring environment … what an honor to “share the stage” with her.

When I speak, one of my main messages is to strongly encourage healthcare professionals to use more music (and frankly, less TV!) at the hospital and hospice bedside. Sometimes, they “push back” and tell me they are maxed out and already have too much on their docket. To that, I say I appreciate ALL that they do and if they take two minutes to put on a CD of relaxing music, it will change everyone’s day – theirs, the patients and the families they serve.

I exhibited at the North Central Healing Touch gathering in mid-March. To complete a certification in Healing Touch, the practitioners have to try 10 other complementary healing modalities. This gives them a sense of what else is “out there,” as well as determine where Healing Touch fits within the many alternatives.

In response to their need to experience all of these different modalities, I am now offering private harp therapy sessions. My private practice is now birthed! The sessions are 60 minutes for $75. I play my pedal harp so you definitely feel the vibrations firsthand. If you are interested in more information, e-mail me. I look forward to sharing this special therapy with you!