14 Sep 2009
The Cat’s Purr – A Biomechanical Healing Mechanism?
We all know how wonderful it is to be around a purring cat. To me, there is nothing more soothing than to be lulled to sleep or woken up by Amber’s strong purr. But did you know that a cat’s purr has healing properties and can actually heal bones, muscles and tendons?
In a 2006 study conducted by Fauna Communications, researchers found that the frequency of a cat’s purr (between 25 and 140 Hz), convers the same frequencies that are therapeutic for bone growth and fracture healing, pain relief, swelling reduction, wound healing, muscle growth and repair, tendon repair, and mobility of joints.
The researchers at Fauna Communications believe that it’s possible that evolution has provided the felines of this world with a natural healing mechanism for bones and other organs. From the Fauna Communications website: “Being able to produce frequencies that have been proven to improve healing time, strength and mobility could explain the purr’s natural selection. In the wild when food is plentiful, the felids are relatively sedentary. They will spend a large portion of the day and night lounging in trees or on the ground. Consistent exercise is one of the greatest contributors to bone, (Karlsson et al, 2001), and muscle (Roth et al, 2000; Tracy et al 1999), and tendon and ligament strength (Simoson et al, 1995; Tipton et al 1975). If a cat’s exercise is sporadic, it would be advantageous for them to stimulate bone growth while at rest. As well, following injury, immediate exercise can rebreak one and re-tear healing muscle and tendon (Montgomery, 1989). Inactivity decreases the strength of muscles (Tipton et al, 1975). Therefore, having an internal vibrational therapeutic system to stimulate healing would be advantageous, and would also reduce edema and provide a measure of pain relief during the healing process. ”
I’ve always believed that animals, and cats in particular, are healers. Isn’t it nice to know that just listening to our cats purr is not only good for our soul, but also good for our body?
Here’s a video (and audio!) of a cat with a seriously strong purr:
That’s wonderful! No wonder I feel so relaxed around my Mr. Smoke and Mr. Shadow. Thanks for the post, Ingrid.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Elizabeth Spann Craig
September 14th, 2009 at 1:21 pmpermalink
That’s wonderful! No wonder I feel so relaxed around my Smoke and Shadow. I just love hearing their rattling purr. Thanks so much for sharing this, Ingrid.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Elizabeth Spann Craig
September 14th, 2009 at 1:22 pmpermalink
Oops! I thought my first message got eaten and I retyped it! Sorry ’bout that.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Spann Craig
September 14th, 2009 at 1:24 pmpermalink
Thanks for your comment, Elizabeth. I love that there’s actual research behind the “power of purr.”
Ingrid
September 14th, 2009 at 4:20 pmpermalink
Intuitively we recognize the healing power of having a cat curl up in our laps, but it is so interesting to know that science can also prove it. I’ve seen many nursing homes that have cats in residence. It’s good for both the felines and the elderly to have each other.
Theresa Mayhew
September 15th, 2009 at 8:11 pmpermalink
Theresa, I agree that cats in nursing homes are a wonderful idea. Thanks for your comment!
Ingrid
September 15th, 2009 at 8:24 pmpermalink
Wow – I didn’t know that purrs could actually heal. Our cats are quite sensitive to us when we are down or not feeling well. Our Ben curls up by your head and purrs. Purring is a new thing for Ben – he didn’t purr when we first rescued him. Most of the time you can feel it more than hear it. When he really gets going, he chokes himself. We call it purgling.
I know that my cats purring away near me definitely soothes me – now I know why!
Tammy
September 17th, 2009 at 11:03 ampermalink
Tammy, I loved hearing about Ben and his newfound “purgling.” When I first met Buckley, she never purred. It wasn’t until she had lived with me for a couple of months that I first started hearing a very faint purr. I think that might have been the moment when she first decided that this was really her forever home. Her purr eventually became stronger and more frequent. It was one of the most humbling and beautiful experiences of my life to hear that first purr from her – the thought that I made another being so happy was overwhelming.
Ingrid
September 17th, 2009 at 4:37 pmpermalink
[...] by when we are sick even with something minor like a cold or the flu. Research has even shown that the frequency of a cat’s purr can aid with healing of bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles as well as provide pain [...]
The Healing Power of Cats – Guest Post by Ingrid King | Mind-Body-Spirit Works
January 11th, 2010 at 3:10 pmpermalink
[...] Please read the rest of her guest blog post “The Healing Powers of Cats” on Mind-Body-Spirit Works. A link to her post on the healing properties of a cat’s purr are linked in the first paragraph of that article, but just in case you can read it in The Cat’s Purr – A Biomechanical Healing Mechanism? [...]
The Reiki Cat « The Creative Cat
January 12th, 2010 at 12:32 ampermalink
[...] by when we are sick even with something minor like a cold or the flu. Research has even shown that the frequency of a cat’s purr can aid with healing of bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles as well as provide pain [...]
The Healing Power of Cats | The Conscious Cat
January 27th, 2010 at 9:24 ampermalink