Chronic Pain - defined as pain that lasts longer than three months despite medication or other forms of treatment - is a condition that affects 1 in 4 of the UK's population, yet it is a still condition that is yet to be fully understood and managed. Because of this, many agree that it is an unmet global public health challenge, and further research into conditions, causes, and options for therapy & treatment that reduces severity of pain outside of medication, is necessary & required.
This feeling is echoed by an exclusive study done by the BBC & Ipsos Research, which after surveying over 4000 adults aged 16-75 experiencing chronic pain, found that 24% are taking powerful opioid pain medication ranging from codeine to morphine and fentanyl to daily to manage their pain, with a further 23% on a long NHS waiting list for a pain management programme, or surgery.
The study notes that pain specialists warned the health service is not set up to deal with chronic pain, and that the treatments on offer are decades behind the science, leaving millions of patients without the support they need to manage their pain.
However, recent findings from a study done by the British Academy of Sound Therapy on how sound healing impacts chronic pain has shown some encouraging results that sound healing could be a valuable and powerful way to manage pain amongst sufferers.
Over the period of 2 years a study was conducted by students at The British Academy of Sound Therapy (BAST). A call out for respondents was made and 120 people with chronic pain came forward. Some individuals attended 2 soundbath or gongbath sessions held 1 week apart. Others attended 4 x 1-2-1 sound therapy sessions held once a week.
The aim of the study was to discover the overall impact of these different interventions on chronic pain and here follows a summary of the results:
24% no longer experienced continuous pain
12% of participants were completely relieved of chronic pain within 2 – 4 sessions.
There was an 18% reduction in individuals taking medication for baseline pain
21% had relief from uncontrolled breakthrough pain, 17% had no pain at all
18% of people took no medication for breakthrough pain
The number of people that found they could cope with daily tasks at home or work rose by 20%
For those living with chronic pain who are searching for a way to manage symptoms outside of long-waiting lists and large amounts of medication, this is very positive news.
Whilst more extensive instrument-led research needs to be done, as well as further research into the sound frequencies used, and how they impact every chronic pain condition, it does go to show that sound healing can help minimise chronic pain, whilst at the same time, reduce stress and anxiety (which is a known cause of some chronic pain conditions), improve sleep, and boost endorphins, mood, and peace. You can read about how sound healing works, through this blog post.
Take part in a sound healing session
If you'd like join a sound healing session in London or Bristol, you can view what's coming up in the 'book' section, or if you'd like a consultation, please contact me on: foundinsoundappointments@gmail.com
Sources
A quarter (26%) of UK adults report living with chronic pain (Ipsos Research)
Treating Chronic Pain with Low-Frequency Sound (Health & Bass)
Sound blunts pain in an unexpected way (New Atlas)
First major national pain survey launched (University of Dundee)
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