Holistic healing includes a variety of therapies and spiritual components. One form of holistic healing you might have heard of is sound therapy, which uses sounds, music, and instruments in combination with deep self-reflection techniques to improve health and well-being. Here, we will discuss everything you need to know about sound therapy and vibrational healing.
What Is Sound Therapy?
Sound therapy is a form of Eastern integrative medicine that originated in Tibetan and Himalayan cultures. Traditional sound therapy uses Tibetan singing bowls, bell-like instruments that are tapped or rubbed with wooden mallets to create vibrational sounds and effects. Sound therapy is becoming increasingly popular in the West due to its purported health benefits. Western sound therapy, also called music therapy or sound bathing, often integrates singing bowls, gongs, chimes, tuning forks, and bells.
How Does Sound Therapy Work?
There are several types of sound therapy, including brainwave entrainment (also known as binaural beats), when tones at different frequencies are played, encouraging the brain to sync the different sounds between the two. Other sound therapies encourage relaxation through repetitive or varying music or sounds that provide a soothing effect.
Benefits of Sound Therapy
A 2016 study showed that participants in Tibetan singing bowl sound meditation experienced a significant reduction in tension, depressed feelings, and anxiety. Sound therapy is great if you’re looking for an alternative treatment to help you relax, find balance, target specific conditions such as fibromyalgia, and improve your overall health. Vibrational healing opens, clears, and balances your chakras, releasing blocked energy. It also can help improve sleep and lower chronic pain, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
What to Expect from a Sound Therapy Session
When first meeting with a healer, you will discuss your needs to understand how they can best support you and personalize your experience. Sessions typically last between 20 minutes and two hours. A sound therapy session will typically start with deep breathing as you prepare your body and mind to receive vibrational healing while sitting or lying in a comfortable position. Doing this will help your brain slow down and shift your focus to the present. Active sound therapy calls for active participation by incorporating yoga or tai chi.