Metro Musician Provides Harp Therapy

By Melissa Maynarich, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A local musician is offering her own form of health care to those in need. She's using her harp and its soothing melody to help patients at a metro hospital.

It's been said that the sound of the harp played bedside, feels like a massage for the soul.

"You thought of angels coming down from Heaven," Phyllis Lowe said.

For many patients at Mercy Hospital it's been a dose of serenity.

"My stress levels were pretty high because I was exercising for the first time, but once I heard that music, it was calm, my breathing was, um, right on key," Lowe said.

Harp therapy is meant to elicit comfort, and allow for the release of emotions and relaxation. Lisa Wynn says there's even science behind the soothing melody.

"There's a lot of research about live music, especially plucked strings, and how it has a physiological affect on human bodies," Wynn said.

Each patient has different needs, so Wynn adjusts her music. For those who may be anxious, more calming musical phrases are used.

Often for babies, who are particularly susceptible to the sound waves, she changes up the tempo.

"Sometimes the babies need to sort of calm down, and sometimes we need to sort of bring them up and the harp seems to resonate with the babies," Wynn said.

No matter a patient's age, the music can lower stress and ease pain. And Wynn has encountered a myriad of reactions.

"While I was playing she started crying and she told me afterward that she needed to cry and hadn't been able to," Wynn said.

Wynn has been playing the harp for seven years, but has been classical training on piano and guitar for more than 30 years.