Vibroacoustic Therapy and Its Effect on Various Populations - Part 5

Introduction: The first experiences with VAT, as we know it today, were carried out in 1980 when I was working as headmaster of a school for multiply handicapped, mentally retarded children. 1987 - 1990 I ran a clinic which offered VAT to clients who came to the clinic because of various complaints, some of them were referred to VAT by their physicians.

From 1980 until today the method has spread out to different institutions, and now VAT is used to improve the life quality of persons suffering from a wide variety of complaints and handicaps. On the following pages I will try to describe how we have approached some defined conditions. Most results come from my own work, or the work of my assistants, but I also include results described in reports from professionals (nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, teachers in special education, psychologists and music therapists) in Norway and other countries.

The conditions treated by VAT differ considerably from the conditions, which traditionally are treated by Music Therapy and Music Medicine, as we know them today. As VAT has a direct physical effect on the whole human body - and virtually has an effect on each single cell in the organism, it is natural that we can observe effects which cannot be observed, or can only be traced, when we use auditively transferred musical stimuli.

Low back pains

The primary recommended frequency for low back pains is 52 Hz. The choice of music is of secondary importance, but music agreeable to the patient is, of course, to be preferred. VAT sessions every day or every second day until the pains are gone. If pains increase and stay painful after session # 3 or 4, the patient should be encouraged to see a doctor in order to exclude any acutely inflamed conditions in the musculo-skeletal system. The inflammation ought to be treated medically before VAT is resumed.

If long-time VAT is necessary, it is advisable to alternate between 52 Hz and multi-frequency therapy tapes.

Menstrual pains, dysmenhorrea, PMT

Relaxing music and therapy tapes with 52 Hz will usually have positive effects on physical pains and mental stability. VAT is given once per day during the week before menstrual bleeding is expected, no sessions during the bleeding period, and maintenance sessions once per week during the intermediate period.

This strategy is to be continued for at least 3 menstrual cycles before termination of therapy.

The patient should be told to come back for repetition of one therapy cycle when she feels that the difficulties start to become worse again. An increase in the period between therapy sessions is to be expected.

Metachromatic Leucodystrophy ( MLD)

This progressive congenital condition has some similarities with Cystic Fibrosis, as the patient has difficulty in coughing up lung secretes.

The condition is accompanied by mental deterioration and pains. The sleep pattern is disturbed and may make the home situation for the child unbearable for the family.

VAT has only palliative effect, and may prolong life for the child. Observations made in Norwegian kindergartens and families demonstrate a considerable improvement in life quality for both patient and environment for several years. For the patients we have followed longest, it appears that during the first years frequencies in the 40 Hz area was most effective, as the illness has progressed, we have seen the necessity to go upwards in frequency choice, and now, 5 years after we started, 68 Hz seem to be most effective in relieving some of the difficulties of the child.

For the time being (end 1994) 4 children with MLD in Norway get VAT on a daily basis all around the year.

This is part 5 of an article which will be continued in upcoming newsletter issues.

 

Arc of Light

Brian E. Paulson

Brian E. Paulson is an award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist whose music has reached people throughout the world.

His vast knowledge of studio techniques as well as MIDI technology has allowed him to create unique sonic sculptures using digital samplers, synthesizers, and a huge collection of world instruments such as gongs, the Australian didgeridoo, Mayan flutes, African kalimbas, Native American flutes, and instruments of his own design.

Brian's ongoing research and musical projects are focused on the advancement of music as a powerful tool for the enrichment of one's mental, physical and spiritual well-being. In particular, music that affects coherency of the human energy field, which plays a very important part in the well- being of each and every one of us.

"To develop a synergistic approach for stimulating the different senses, I am using music that correlates with the upper octaves of color and fragrance." - Brian E. Paulson

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