The Healing Benefits of Vibrational Sound Therapy
Sound Therapy aims to bring well-being to the mind and body through the utilization of pure tones and sound intervals. Chanting, singing, listening to music and drumming are all known to positively influence our mind as well as our physiology. Like massage therapy, which supports well-being through touch, sound therapy brings healing through the pure vibrational tones of Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, and bells.
Greek philosopher Pythagoras believed that music contributed greatly to health if it was used in the right way. Although many of us have experienced the power of music to move us emotionally, we may still wonder why it moves us and what is so beneficial about it.
Scientist Christian Huyman noticed that the pendulums of two clocks, when hung side by side, would begin of their own accord to swing to the same identical rhythm. This phenomenon is known as entrainment, and it occurs when a more powerful rhythmic vibration from one object is projected onto a second object with a similar frequency and causes that object to vibrate in resonance with the first object.(1) An example of this is when twin babies are born and one of the babies has a weaker heart. Often the baby with the weaker heart is placed in the same crib as the baby with the stronger heart. The baby with the weaker heart will begin to entrain to the to the stronger one, therefore mending and repairing itself through resonating with the stronger heart vibrations.
The universe as well as human beings are in a continuous state of vibratory motion and so it seems that our physiological functioning may be changed by the vibratory tones and sound waves made by our own voices and instruments. “If we accept that sound is vibration and we know that vibration touches every part of our physical being, then we understand that sound is heard not only through our ears but through every cell in our bodies.” (2)
Some of the benefits of music and sound therapy include:
Reduced anxiety
Reduced heart rate
Reduced respiratory rates.
Lower blood pressure
Increased immune cell messengers.
Reduced cortisol levels (stress hormones)
Increased natural opiates.
A typical sound therapy session may begin with simple breathing exercises and a body scan. This tends to help quiet the mind and settle the body. Recipients of sound therapy usually sit or lie down in a comfortable position, sometimes with an eye mask and blanket. Tibetan singing bowls are placed on the body and around the head and feet. The goal of sound therapy is balance, harmony and restoration. During the session, clients often begin to go into a state of relaxation both of mind and body. As deeper and deeper states of rest occur for the body, deeper states of consciousness begin to impact the mind. This relaxed state gives the body and mind time to repair itself from the usual concerns of the day.
1 (Gaynor, 2002, The Healing Power of Sound. Boston: Shambala. p.49)
2 (Gaynor, 2002, The Healing Power of Sound. Boston: Shambala. p.80)
Angie Van De Mark is a Neurofeedback and Sound Therapy practitioner at Northwest Life Medicine Clinic.