A young Tabrizi physician Alireza Solhi, prescribes traditional Persian music as a type of cure for sickness.
A daily dose of music by Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, internationally acclaimed Persian classical singer, and Salar Aghili, vocalist, every 8 hours, are Solhi’s only advised remedy in a certain prescription, which has gone viral, Mehr News Agency reports.
Today, music therapy is an allied health profession and one of the expressive therapies, comprising a process in which a music therapist uses music and all of its facets - physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual - to help patients improve their physical and mental health.
Solhi’s music prescription was first shared in a social network group. In a short time, it went viral in virtual space. “It seems people are tired of medications and drugs. My suggestion got a huge positive feedback that even surprised me,” he said.
Music therapists are found in nearly every area of professional help. The therapy has become common in hospitals, cancer centers, schools, alcohol and drug rehab programs, psychiatric wards, and correctional facilities around the world. “For example, music can positively help patients with autism in verbal skills.”
“No patient should be deprived of pharmacotherapy, the usual medications that nearly all physicians prescribe. Other innovative methods can also be used beside conventional prescriptions. Although new methods need serious study and research, according to my experience, they can be efficacious,” said Solhi.
Unlike most physicians, Solhi has a legible handwriting. “I’ve always tried to write beautiful prescriptions.”
He prescribes medicines (singers and albums) in Latin, and instructions in Persian, as is his usual style.
Solhi, 30, was educated in Tabriz. He started his professional career in 2011 at Tabriz Hospital though his talent for music was discovered in childhood. He played piano as a child but later became interested in the Persian tar, a long-necked instrument.
