Using Sound to Help Heal
Standing at the side of the Milton Theatre stage, watching icons from many decades ago perform music I hadn’t heard in as many years, I was transported to another time. The energy was infectious, but it was mostly the music. I was listening to songs that reached into my gut and yanked out memories I had long since forgotten. I felt again what I had felt those many years ago when these songs were a part of my life. Tears welled up. I loved remembering a time that was joyous, fun, and a bit wild. It made me happy. Of course, if my memories had not been so good, then hearing the music could have sent my emotions into an abyss filled with sadness.
Music has been known to be powerful for centuries. It can play with one’s mood, it can be felt deep within one’s body, it can inspire one to move, and it can change a person’s perspective. Now the power of sound is being used to assist people get—and stay—well.
Recently, I attended a vibrational sound immersion, often called a sound bath or sound meditation, led by Tammy Patterson and Lily Elkins, at the Milton Historical Society. I’m not sure if I drifted into sleep or was in a trance. I had followed Elkins’ visualization in my mind and drifted into the sounds. When the time was up, I felt calm and relaxed, yet energized and awake.
For the rest of the day, I had an inner peacefulness. I did not feel tired but ‘floaty and light.’ I had a terrific night’s sleep that night.
Sound healing uses aspects of music to improve physical and emotional health and well-being. It also uses a wide range of techniques and instruments to balance and heal the body, mind, and spirit.
Sound healing can be private or in a group setting. Before the music began, Patterson and Elkins took the group through a short visual meditation to relax any bodily tension and ease into the present moment. They used a variety of instruments during the session. “Each instrument has a different frequency,” said Elkins. “Research shows they each resonate with different parts of a body.”
They had a huge gong, drums, cymbals, white opaque singing bowls, tambourines, and a rain stick. They even had a ‘hand pan,’ which is similar to a xylophone but with a more ethereal sound. “One reason we bring so many frequencies to a public session is that each has a unique ability to help one’s body heal,” explained Elkins.
The most elemental state of vibration is sound. Everything has an optimum range of vibration (frequency). Wherever we go we are surrounded by sounds. Soothing sounds of a river flowing can stimulate serene chemical reactions in your brain. Sounds of jack hammering can do the opposite. Sound can hurt or heal.
Physicians have used sound for decades, e.g., for ultrasound exams. “Sound bounces off matter and creates an image,” explained Elkins.
Now, it’s being explored as a possible treatment modality. Researchers at a hospital in London have been exploring the possibility of destroying cancer cells with sound. Using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), they have successfully destroyed prostate cancer cells in their test patients, using only sound waves. This technology was applied to 159 men with prostate cancer, and after one year, the cancer had not recurred in 92 percent of them. The procedure only took about five hours. Further tests continue to be conducted to confirm (or not) the success and reliability of this technology.
A meta-analysis of 14 studies showed a significant decrease in depression in older adults living with chronic disease after listening to music, singing, playing an instrument, or any combination of those three activities. Sound healing also can help manage the physiological symptoms of certain diseases, such as pain that manifests with fibromyalgia.
Sound healing is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the wellness industry. The level of interest in sound baths is evidenced by the 90 thousand internet searches for the term per month. Yoga studios, wellness centers, and spas are all looking to incorporate sound meditation to help people relax.
A sound healing session offers something for everyone, no matter where you are in your beliefs about the efficacy of holistic health practices. Locally, you can experience a sound bath at many venues, including summer full moon gatherings each month at the beach in Lewes (Mandie’s Magical Marketplace). If the heat and the bugs are not your thing, sessions are also available at indoor venues such as Shore Healing (Sue Greer; Lewes), and Debbie Balick, Milton.▼
Pattie Cinelli is a writer and a health and fitness professional who writes about leading edge wellness and fitness topics. She can be reached at: fitmiss44@aol.com..
Photo: by Magic Bowls on Unsplash.