Note: The specific type of sound healing I offer is the use of tuning forks and crystal singing bowls, the effects of which have not been scientifically studied very much. The effects seen are largely anecdotal in nature. I found one research study (published in 2015) on effects of listening to crystal singing bowls (see below). Because of this, the following research focuses more on types of sound healing and what research has been done with them, including the use of instruments, exposure to different frequencies, computerized frequencies, listening to various styles of music, singing, chanting and toning, and vibrational effects on matter (water, sand).
There are many facets and branches to sound therapy. Ancient cultures used sound for healing, whether utilizing instruments or vocalization. Examples include the Aboriginal people of Australia who used the didgeridoo, Egyptian and Babylonian cultures that used drums and rattles, and the Greek and Egyptians who used the voice. Pythagoras (circa 500BC) is credited as the first modern world person to use music as medicine, playing the flute and lyre and exploring effects of musical intervals, using a monochord instrument and the voice. Since the 1930s, modern medicine has started to explore its healing properties, beginning with the discovery of ultrasound. Ultrasound is used to break up kidney stones and shrink tumors (http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/lithotripsy; http://www.eeni.com/news/default.asp?ID=40&itemId=43).
Cymatherapy®: In the 1950s, British osteopath, Peter Guy Manners, developed this system, which uses computers to create combinations of ultra pure tones that address specific types of injuries and ailments. It has been anecdotally found to promote more rapid healing from injuries and to help with chronic pain. Ultimately, it may be used to treat specific organs or systems by introducing frequencies found in healthy organs and systems to help the body recalibrate its frequencies back to health (http://www.rexresearch.com/cymatherapy/cymatherapy.htm).
Vibroacoustic Therapy: Discovered and developed by Norwegian therapist and educator Olav Skille in 1980, this is a new sound technology that uses audible computer-generated sound frequencies to reduce symptoms, promote relaxation, and lower stress. Audio waves in the range of 30Hz-120Hz transmitted through the vibroacoustic device were found to have a positive effect on various systems of the body. Because the body is 70% water and sound travels 5 times easier through water than air, this stimulation can access the deep cellular layer of the body (http://www.vibroacoustic.org/FrequencyInfo/Vibroacoustic%20Therapy.pdf). The following are summaries of some studies done on its effectiveness:
- Vibroacoustic Therapy for Children with Learning Difficulties and Elders in Residential Care: Music/sound technology used with children with profound and multiple learning difficulties and elders in long-term care homes/who are mentally infirm enables self-expression, empowerment, and communication skills. This study (pub. 2004) highlights 2 case studies (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15747903).
- Vibroacoustic Therapy for Heel Spurs: In a study (published 2013) that compared vibroacoustic wave therapy to laser and ultrasound therapy, 60 patients were treated for plantar heel spurs; 40 received vibroacoustic wave therapy, 10 were in a laser control group, and 10 were in an ultrasound therapy control group. Vibroacoustic therapy showed greater reduction in perceived pain levels than the other groups (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23510823).
- Vibroacoustic Therapy for Pain and Stress Reduction: Research (published in 2004) is showing potential of vibroacoustic therapy to reduce pain symptoms, invoke relaxation, and alleviate stress, and the article explores use of this therapy in various nursing settings (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15222599).
Sonocytology: Dr. James Gimzewski, Nobel Prize winner, of UCLA, California studied cellular response to sound, using an atomic force microscope to listen to the sounds emitted by the outer membrane of various cells in the body, and in 2001 created this new science. By identifying each cell’s unique solar signature, this may eventually be used diagnostically to find unhealthy cells and to play back their destructive sounds greatly amplified, so they implode and are destroyed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gimzewski).
Using tuning forks with specific sound frequencies on acupressure points is one example of this sound healing therapy (http://www.acutonics.com/).
Effects of Crystal Singing Bowls on the Body: One study (published 2008) examined effects of harmonic vibrations of crystal singing bowls on perception of pain, subjective wellbeing, and quality of sleep in 54 patients with chronic unspecific spinal pain; with 2 placebo treatment and non-treatment control groups. The treatment group received 6 units of singing bowl therapy. Pain intensity was evaluated pre- and post-sessions, pulse rate and skin conduction were measured in 3 of the sessions, and a 24-hour measurement of heart rate variability to evaluate quality of sleep was made 4 times. A mood questionnaire was completed pre- and post-sessions. Both treatment and placebo groups showed significantly lower pain intensities; the control group had increased pain intensity (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=crystal+singing+bowls). In a study of 42 subjects, all received toning on the back from a Marcel Vogel crystal, and playing of a quartz crystal bowl tuned to the ‘F’ musical note, which is associated with the heart chakra. Responses were noted on Asyra, a computerized electronic electrodermal instrument that measures energetic readings of acupuncture meridians under exposure to low voltage electrical frequencies. Readings after a toning and crystal bowl session showed significant increase in energetic readings on the left hand and right foot (non-dominant hand, non-dominant foot), which seems to indicate heightened activity in the right temporal gyrus of the brain, a major area affecting creativity. This part of the brain has been found to be larger in musicians (http://journals.sfu.ca/seemj/index.php/seemj/article/viewFile/65/52).
Music Therapy for Chronic Aphasia Post-Stroke: This study (published 2015) evaluated effects of active music therapy based on free-improvisation, with speech language therapy, compared to speech language therapy alone control group, in 20 stroke patients with chronic aphasia. Both groups received 30 speech language therapy sessions over 15 weeks; the experimental group also received 30 active music therapy sessions. Results show significant improvement in spontaneous speech in the experimental group; 50% o the experimental group also showed improvement in vitality scores on a Short Form Health Survey (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26000622).
Music and Learning Disabilities: A literature review (published 2002) found studies showing effects of musical interventions provided to clients with learning disabilities. Results were reduction of self-injurious behavior, aggression and other behaviors that challenged service providers, improved communication skills of clients, and improved ability to maintain their psychological wellbeing (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12353618).
The Ear as a Transmitter of Sound to the Body: French ear, nose and throat specialist Dr Alfred Tomatis has spent the last 50 years studying the ear and its connections to the rest of the body. It controls the body’s sense of balance, rhythm and movement and is conductor of the entire nervous system. Through the medulla, the auditory nerve connects with all of the body’s muscles, affecting muscle tone, equilibrium, flexibility and vision. Through the vagus nerve, the inner ear connects with the larynx, heart, lungs, stomach, liver, bladder, kidneys, small intestine and large intestine. Tomatis believes high frequency sounds (3,000Hz and above) activate the brain and affect cognitive functions such as thinking, spatial perception and memory. Listening to these sounds increases our attentiveness and concentration. (Tomatis Alfred. The Conscious Ear. Station Hill Press. New York. ISBN 0-88268-108-7. 1991)
Sound Creates Shapes in Sand: In the 1700s, Ernest Chladni, a German physicist, found that when a violin bow was drawn vertically across the rim of a metal plate, the sound waves produced created geometric patterns in sand sprinkled on the plate; different musical tones created different patterns. In the 1960s, Hans Jenny, a Swiss scientist, spent 10+ years discovering effects of sound waves on materials placed on metal plates, including glycerine, mercury, gel, powder and iron fillings. Photography showed that low frequency sounds produced simple geometric shapes, while higher frequencies generated more complex patterns. The sound ‘OH’ produced a perfect circle. Jenny came to the conclusion that sound creates form and that the entire human body had its own sound made up of all the sounds of its cells, tissues and organs (Jenny Hans. Cymatics, Volumes I and II. Basilius Presse AG. Basel. 1974).
Sound Affects Shape of Water Molecules: Japanese scientist, Masaru Emoto, dedicated his life to exploring how environment, emotion, and music affect the crystalline structure of water, hypothesizing that because our bodies are made of 70% water, where and how we live and process life experiences has an impact on our health. He began his work by gathering water over 4 years from various locations, including natural water sources and tap water in different cities. Water was placed in petri dishes in a freezer for 2 hours, then placed under a microscope and photographed at a magnification of 200-500 times. He found that in a given location, water crystals that formed were all similar in shape, but that tap water in places like London and Japanese cities wouldn’t form complete crystals. Spring water and water from holy places formed the most beautiful crystals. Next, he played different types of music to distilled water and froze the water. Classical music produced beautiful crystals of slightly different colors. Healing music, a Tibetan mantra, and folk music also produced beautiful crystals. Heavy metal music resulted in what looked like a crystal that had exploded into many pieces. Japanese pop music produced square-shaped crystals, rather than hexagonal ones (Emoto Masaru. The Message from Water. HADO Kyoikusha. Tokyo. ISBN 4-939098-00-1. 1999).
Cellular Changes from Sound: In 1974, professional jazz musician, Fabien Maman, noticed that certain musical keys had an energizing effect on both musicians and audience. He worked with French physicist, Joel Sternheimer, who had discovered that elementary particles vibrate at frequencies in accordance with musical laws. They found that body tissue, organs and acupuncture meridians each have a musical note. Then, Fabien met Hélène Grimal, senior researcher at the National Centre for Scientific Research in Paris. For 1-1/2 years, using drums, gongs, flutes, guitar, bass, and xylophone, they studied effects of sound on normal and malignant cells, specifically looking at the health of blood cells, hemoglobin, and the ‘Hela’ cancer cell from the uterus. They found that even at 30-40 decibels the sound always produced noticeable changes in cells. As the sounds progressed up the musical scale, to about the 7th interval, cancer cells exploded at a certain frequency as sound travelled from the center of the cell out to its outer membrane, especially using the human voice. Kirlian photography showed different shapes and colors for each note and half note on the musical scale. When a person sang the note ‘F’, which corresponds with the heart chakra, it produced a balanced, round shape and vibrant magenta and turquoise colors. (http://tama-do.com/roothtmls/cell-research.html). Healing musician and composer, Jim Oliver, placed selected sounds exclusively into a pair of headphones and put them on a client’s ankles. They responded to the sound even though their ears could not hear the sound. (Oliver Jim. Notes from CD Harmonic Resonance. The Relaxation Company. New York. 1995).
Physiological Effects of Listening to Different Types of Music: Research has found that listening to Mozart helps improve powers of concentration and enhances ability to make intuitive leaps. The fetus prefers listening to Mozart and Vivaldi over other composers; heart rates become steady and kicking lessens. Rock music results in more kicking. A Dr. Mike Lewis found that classical music works on the whole brain, while pop music affects only one side of the brain (Lewis Mike. Why Music Heals Your Mind. Interview. Sunday Express. p51.21 May 2000). Slower tempo music slows the breathing rate; the heartbeat tends to match the rhythm of the music. Pachabel’s Cannon, with a rhythm of 64 beats per minute, changes brain wave patterns from beta to alpha. Calming music has also been known to calm the nervous system and affect metabolism. The pitch and rhythm of music affect the limbic system (emotions). Music is now used to reduce pain and anxiety of patients undergoing dental treatment and surgical operations. In a study of 59,000 patients, 97% stated music helped them relax in post-operative situations and during surgery in regional anesthesia (Campbell Don. The Mozart Effect. Avon Books. New York. ISBN 0-380-97418-5. 1997).
Vocalizing: Singing, Toning, and Chanting: In the early 1960s, French ear, nose and throat specialist Dr Alfred Tomatis, who has studied for 50 years how health of the ear relates to health in the rest of the body, worked with monks in a Benedictine monastery in France who had been asked to eliminate traditional chanting for more constructive use of time. Over time, there had been a gradual increase in lethargy and decrease in motivation; this corrected itself within 9 months when he suggested they be permitted to chant again (http://www.tomatis.com/add.html). Toning has a neurochemical effect on the body, boosting the immune system and causing the release of endorphins. Toning assists in good breathing and posture. The muscles of the digestive system are massaged and stimulated by regular toning. Toning has also been effective in relieving insomnia (Wilson, Tim. Chant the Healing Powers of Voice and Ear, in Campbell, Don, ed. Music: Physician for Times to Come. Quest Books. Illinois. pp.12-14. ISBN 0-8356-0668-6. 1991).