The Benefits of Sound Healing
While sound healing therapy dates back to Ancient Greece when it was used in an effort to cure mental disorders, it has become one of the most popular modern wellness trends (often in the form of sound baths). It is no surprise that sound healing therapy has been effective as music has been used throughout history to influence people’s moods; from boosting morale of military troops to energizing crowds at sports games to warding off evil spirits through chanting. Sound healing can be found in almost every culture around the world; from the indigenous Australians who used digeridoos in healing rituals to the ancient Egyptians whose pyramids and temples were built to amplify the therapeutic effects of sound during religious ceremonies.
Although many are skeptical of the healing power of sound, almost everyone notices that when you hear a sad song as opposed to a joyful song you can sense changes in your mood due to the frequency of the sound. Our bodies and minds are incredibly sensitive to the vibrations of music and the frequencies of sounds in our environment. Think about how certain sounds trigger certain emotions or memories inside of you; whether it be a song that reminds you of how it felt to be a teenager or how the sound of a dental drill can spark anxiety and stress. This same theory applies to sound healing; certain frequencies of sound have the ability to improve mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
There are several different scientific theories that explain why this happens; one being that sound creates vibrational tactile effects on the body that stimulate touch fibers that affect our perception (specifically our perception of pain). Another theory is based on the theory of binaural beats, which hypothesizes that certain sound frequencies can alter and adjust brainwaves. These frequencies can synchronize our brain waves which can lead to states of deep relaxation associated with beta and theta meditative trance-like waves.
While sound healing offers a wide variety on benefits that vary from person to person, the most commonly reported benefits are stress reduction, increased focus, feelings of relaxation, mood improvement, better sleep quality, reduction in body tension, anxiety relief, and anger reduction. However, some studies have shown that sound healing can have physical health benefits as well, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk of stroke and coronary artery disease, and lower cholesterol levels.
While there is still much investigation to be done on the healing power of sound medicine, the current research is certainly promising. A review of over 400 published scientific articles on sound medicine reported that there is strong evidence that sound (rhythm in particular) has “mental and physical health benefits in improving mood and reducing stress” (Psychology Today). Another study showed evidence that those who attended sound bath with Tibetan signing bowls, crystal singing bowls, gongs, and bells (similar to what we provide at Altha) helped reduce fatigue, tension, depression, anger, and anxiety while simultaneously increasing a sense of spiritual well-being.
While researchers are still learning about the effect of sound on our mental and physical health, one thing that we know for sure is that sound medicine therapy offers significant potential health benefits with little to no risk or side effects.
Interested in trying sound healing therapy? Check out all of our Offerings to discover all the ways you can implement sound medicine into your wellness practice.
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