What is Sound Healing Therapy?
Sound healing therapy is a therapeutic technique that uses sounds and frequencies to enhance a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It involves the use of different tools and instruments (i.e. singing bowls) to unblock chakras and promote a healthy flow of energy. Vibrational sound healing works at the cellular level, activating the body’s natural healing powers and inducing a meditative state.
​
In our session I use a combination of Tibetan, and crystal sound bowls with tuning forks.
Benefits of Sound Healing
"Sound and music healing therapy has been growing in popularity in recent years, and it's definitely a wellbeing trend to keep an eye out for!
​
It's been found that sound and music can be effective healers for a range of mental, emotional, and even physical ailments, and has been a valuable treatment for several conditions such as:
​
-
Depression
-
Anxiety disorders
-
PTSD
-
Dementia
-
Autism spectrum disorders
-
People with learning difficulties
-
Those with behavioural and psychiatric disorders
-
Sleep disorders
-
Aches and pains
-
Some cancers
​
Some of the most highly reported benefits of music therapy and sound healing include:
-
Reduced stress
-
Fewer mood swings
-
Lower blood pressure
-
Lower cholesterol levels
-
Better pain management
-
Reduced risk of strokes and coronary artery disease
-
Improved sleep
​
​
The History of Sound Healing
Using sound healing to promote healing and wellbeing has been around for as long as humanity has records. Still, some of the earliest detailing of 'sound healing therapy' in a formal sense is probably the indigenous Australians (40,000 years ago), who used ancient didgeridoos in healing rituals.
The ancient Egyptians also utilised sound healing, with pyramids designed to create sound chambers.
But sound and music therapy is far more wide-ranging than this. From Tibetan singing bowls, shamanic drums, vocal chanting, and so much more, there's a form of sound healing to be found in every culture worldwide and throughout history.
The Science Behind Sound Healing Therapy
But while modern medicine might be more effective than these chanting circles or music therapy for many diseases and ailments, science has shown that these healing practices aren't the voodoo some may have us believe.
​
In fact, there's plenty of evidence supporting the healing powers sound vibrations offer. And these go well beyond an upbeat track giving you good vibes.
​
Mark Menolascino, MD explains that "everything in the universe has a vibrational frequency… Those vibrations interact with every cell in your body." In order words, the vibrations made by instruments or vocals can actually interact with your body's cells to create specific results: in this case, to encourage healing.
​
These vibrations can also affect your brainwave frequencies.
​
There are scientific studies to back up these claims, too:
-
Research into tuning forks showed they could be effective at relieving muscle and bone pain.
-
A 2006 study found singing bowl meditation can lower blood pressure, improve circulation and breaking, relieve aches and pains, and even strengthen the immune system.
-
A study into vibroacoustic therapy (sounds and vibrations applied directly to the body) discovered the practice could be effective for treating chronic pain and speeding recovery from injury.
-
​
More research is needed to establish just how effective sound healing therapy can be, but so far, plenty of evidence suggests it is an effective option to help people suffering from pain, injury, or stress."
​
Source: https://sensoryretreats.com/blogs/news/sound-healing-therapy
