Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine

208 Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine
dial functional activity (33). A recent review of the applications of therapeutic
ultrasound to cardiology foresees a possible future role for acoustic
energy in treating CVD (34).
AUDITORY ACOUSTIC ENERGY
In addition to these studies using ultrasound, an unpublished but intriguing
clinical study regarding the effect of auditory acoustic energy on the
cardiovascular system is worth mentioning. Acoustic resonance therapy,
developed at the Neuroacoustic Research Institute, was a new method
aimed at modulating the activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic
nervous systems. Real-time heart rate variability was calculated
and monitored as the subject was exposed to a sweep of auditory frequencies
from 50 to 220 Hz. The primary frequency, which produced the
best balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic acitivity, was then fed
back to the subject in a chord using three octaves. Preliminary data
suggest a lowering of blood pressure when the sounds are played to
subjects with CVD (35). It will be interesting to see if further studies
confirm this finding.
Other studies using auditory acoustic energy have been done with
new-age music and specially designed music. Biological effects beyond
the expected generalized relaxation and stress reduction response have
been noted, including altered mental and emotional balance (36), brain
synchronization (37), and immune system enhancement (38). Meaningful
clinical studies that address the effect of sound therapies on the cardiovascular
system would, if positive, present intriguing therapeutic
opportunities.
Effects of Lasers on Cadiovascular Disease
As mentioned in the introduction, cells emit and are sensitive to
ultraweak visible and UV light, suggesting their utilization of biophoton
energy in intercellular communication.
Several biological effects at the cellular level have been reported in
the literature for both incoherent (39) and coherent (laser) light (40).
Different types of lasers use different physical mechanisms (YAG, CO 2,
etc.) to generate light of varied wavelengths in the visible and infrared
portion of the EM spectrum. In contrast to low-intensity laser therapy,
the use of strong lasers to burn holes in tissues is not considered part of
energy medicine.
Several different types of low-intensity lasers have been used for
wound healing (41). For example, one study, used low-intensity lasers
to promote the healing of skin ulcers induced by ionizing radiation (42).
Another study used an animal model (rats) for ischemic injury to the