Last month’s article highlighted a couple of examples of how sound can negatively affect the human body. Now I’d like to highlight a few really cool examples of sound energy being used to heal.
Modern medicine has developed techniques utilizing different forms of energy to evaluate the body–MRI, ultrasound, PET, CT to name just a few. These body scanning technologies utiilize our knowledge of healthy electromagnetic fields (EMF) within cells and organs to help diagnose disease and disorders. Disorders, injuries and disease alter the healthy, homeostatic bioenergy fields of our bodies. As new diagnostic tools become available, we learn more about the functional energy connection between mind and body.
It’s been fascinating reading about ‘sound therapies’ being used to address different health issues-chronic pain, depression/anxiety, Parkinson’s among others. “New brain imaging technology has provided evidence that different circuits of the brain have preferred frequencies at which they oscillate,” says cognitive neuroscientist Petr Janata of University of California, Davis. Researchers have used brain imaging to link certain oscillation bands to specific cognitive functions. An NIH study I read found statistically significant reduction of symptoms (nausea, headache, tension-anxiety, pain, depressed mood and fatigue) using “vibroacoustic music” therapy in hospitalized patients. So we’re learning.
Of couse, any article by me on the positive power of sound certainly has to mention the power of music. For me, and so many others, music brings great joy, catharsis and healing.
But can music do even more? According to a review of research in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience related to Parkinson’s, the answer is yes! The authors stated that “there is growing evidence to support the beneficial effects of acoustic-based interventions in the form of music, rhythmic auditory cues, sound vibrations, or a combination of the three…”
An example from the private sector is a startup called MedRhythms. They’re using music and technology to help people with neurological injury or disease walk again. Music stimulates so many parts of our brain. “There’s no other stimulus on Earth that engages our brain like music does,” according to co-founder/CEO Brian Harris. There’s a subconscious link between our auditory and motor neurological system, called auditory motor entrainment (AME).
When you listen to music and your feet are tapping, that’s because of AME. People with injuries or diseases like strokes or Parkinson’s often have a damaged motor system. Because of AME, Harris says, music works as a strong external stimulus to activate the motor system more effectively once again, aided by our brain’s neuroplasticity.
Unsurprisingly to me, MedRhythm’s research shows the treatment is far more effective when patients enjoy the music they’re listening to!
As our understanding of the dynamic flow of energy through the body and how it relates to disease and disorders grows, novel treatments will continue to be developed to help restore balance to our bioenergy fields and better overall health.
Please continue to love your community by getting vaccinated/boosted & masking up where appropriate. And please always support our local businesses.
