The Power of Sound

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by Marian Rein

                Sound therapy. Have you heard of it? It's a form of therapy that is thought to have health benefits, everything from improving our mood to curing cancer. You might be scratching your head about now. Me, too. So I set out to take a closer look.
                Sound therapy uses naturally-occurring frequencies or tones to aid in the healing process. It is believed that these tones are the language with which cells communicate; certain frequencies are in harmony with the body’s cells and organs and systems, and they are thought by many people to have a dramatic healing effect on the body.
                Okay, let's break this down a bit. First, most of us have learned that certain sounds make us feel a certain way. Strong, loud and fast sounds give us energy, perk us up and cause us to tap our feet. At times, this is a welcome feeling, perhaps bringing us out of a low feeling or “vibration” to one that just feels better. At other times, when we are experiencing stress, upbeat music might have a more negative effect, causing us to feel agitated and anxious at times when we need to slow down and relax. On the other hand, soft, easy music can help to create a feeling of peace and tranquility. At other times, when we’re feeling low, soft music might intensify the low feeling.
                So, much is already understood about the effects of sound on our mood. But what about healing? Can sound waves or frequencies create healing in the body? Can certain frequencies be used to cure cancer? If so, then why haven’t we heard more about it?
                Everything is made up of energy at various frequencies. All things vibrate to sound, light and color. Sound and vibrational frequencies are thought to heal and balance our bodies if it is used correctly.
                The research that exists regarding sound frequencies and healing are abundant. In fact, I have never encounter quite the number of conflicting or controversial studies as that of sound frequencies and health. And most of the controversy seems to surround whether or not cancer can be cured using specific sound frequencies. Law suit after law suit has resulted from the claims of manufacturers of frequency generator machines, for example, after the deaths of cancer patients who sought help for their conditions. But should we throw out the baby with the bath water? Might there be validity in these health claims despite certain evidence to the contrary?
                Okay, time for a quick review of current uses of sound as it relates to our health. Hospitals use sound to remove tumors and eye cataracts; ultrasound is routinely used in hospitals to break up kidney stones; one of the latest uses of sound is called stereostatic radiosurgery and stereostatic radiotherapy, used to treat brain tumor victims. Why, then, would we reject the notion that specific sound frequencies can destroy cancer cells in the body, and do it very quickly?
                Perhaps many of the well-known health organizations have particular interests or biases that prevent them for seriously investigating sound frequencies as it relates to diseases such as cancer. Or perhaps the topic is being investigated and they’re now on the cusps of publishable research.
                Many of us look to national organizations, dare I say the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health to name just two, for the final word on health. Yet their words have time and time again been found to be wrong in the final analysis. And don’t forget — the atom was only a hypothesis until it could be seen with an electron microscope. I would suggest that we take responsibility for our understanding of what is “healthful.” Granted, we’re not all doctors or scientists, but we do have the ability to at least keep our minds open to understanding the scope of certain health issues. After all, controversy exists regarding just about everything from what to eat to how to treat cancer, and well-known health organizations have been known to be wrong.
                The point is there may be value in lessor-known ideas about health despite certain evidence to the contrary. Be well informed, and before you reject any possibility, such as the benefits of sound, do a little research beyond the first link on your Google search.

September Featured Stories Coffee Break with the Barista Creating Mind, Body & Spirit Health — One Peace at a Time, by Milan Galan, Ph.D. Waking Up to the Truth About Sleep, by Jessica Wilson The Power of Sound, by Marian Rein Health Myths & Facts, by Pamela Kramer Childress Mind, Body & Spirit Health at Midlife and Menopause by Diane G. Sanford, Ph.D. Age – It’s Simply A Number, by Milan Galan, Ph.D. Physical and Mental Well-Being Combining Body, Mind & Spirit, by Jill Barrett Getting Better With Age: A Healthy Perspective, by Phylis Clay Sparks A Piece of Kitchen Nostalgia Returns — Retro Appliance Comes to the Aid of Busy Families, by Mary K. Morgan The Healthy Side of Your Morning Brew, by Marian Rein Todd Lewis If you make a list, it will come by Pamela Kramer Childress Toby’s Tale — More About Toby by Jessica Wilson Live Large Spend Small by Mary K. Morgan - September 2008 Java Journal Movie Morsels by Mary Morgan - September 2008