Vibrational medicine is based on the premise that human beings are essentially “dynamic energy systems” (aka spirits), and the path to good health is found through maintaining a health balance and flow of energy through the body.

According to About.com, promoting balance and flow of “subtle energy systems” can be achieved through diet, regulation of emotions, environment, and of course the intervention of a “certified” and “trained” practitioners who use acupuncture, aromatherapy, crystal healing, touch therapy, tuning forks, and more.

On the Internet, proponents of vibrational medicine sound more like hucksters than scientists. However, here is an interesting study where a laser was used to excite the vibrational state of a microorganism in order to destroy it.

It’s a variation on the vibrational medicine mantra.

First, the details.

• M13 bacteriophages (see photo) were exposed to very lower power femtosecond laser system.
• Viruses that infect bacteria are called bacteriophages (eaters of bacteria).
• The M13 bacteriophage — one of the simplest helical structures — attaches itself to the target cell’s DNA.
• Under the right circumstances bacteriophages can cause or spread infection.
• A femtosecond laser can produce a pulse of energy that is shorter than a nanosecond.

And, the results

• The M13 bacteriophage was inactivated by the femtosecond laser.

The bottom line?
The researchers concluded, “Our work demonstrates a new strategy for manipulating, controlling, and inactivating unwanted microorganisms. It suggests that … a laser optical system can be a general way to selectively alter the function of viruses and potentially other microorganisms through the property of their mechanical acoustic excitations.”

Lot’s more research is needed, but it could be an alternative or complement to antimicrobial drugs and vaccines.

It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. There is absolutely no proven correlation or association between what was achieved in this study and the typical routine followed by a practitioner of vibrational medicine.

1/1/08 16:43 JR