What is Sound Healing?

Whether it’s a song you love that lifts your spirits, or one that makes you cry, the power of vibrations to affect how we feel is well-known. But sound healing takes the concept further, incorporating music as a tool to heal the body on a deep, physical level. From soothing Tibetan singing bowls to crystal chimes, or the rhythmic chanting of kundalini yoga classes – the technique is fast becoming more and more popular. With Meghan Markle and Charlize Theron amongst its fans, you can now experience the healing power of sound online or at a studio.

The science behind it is based on sympathetic resonance, which is when vibrations in one object cause similar vibrations in another. Human bodies are 75% water, so they are also a great conductor for frequencies. Practitioners use instruments, such as glass, crystal bowls, gongs and tuning forks that vibrate at different frequencies when struck, to create sounds and vibrations around the body. These vibrations help to balance the body, mind and spirit.

Many people report that after a session, they feel deeply relaxed and at peace with a sense of calmness and rejuvenation. They may have an increased ability to concentrate, or find that they are better able to manage stress levels, as well as experiencing relief from pain and an improved immune system.

Studies suggest that sound therapy can help to reduce the symptoms of a number of conditions, including chronic pain, depression and anxiety. It can also improve circulation, balance hormones, increase energy and reduce blood pressure. It is thought that this is because certain sounds can stimulate the production of nitric oxide, which acts as a vasodilator by opening up your blood vessels. This then causes your cells to be more efficient, and helps to lower blood pressure at a cellular level.

It is also believed that sound can open up ion channels within the cell that have closed, causing them to be unable to receive nutrients or communicate with other cells. When these channels are opened up, it is believed that the cell can then re-start the process of growth, repair and replication, which may have been interrupted at some point.

Other studies show that a sound healing session can raise your alpha brain waves, which are associated with creativity and daydreaming, and can even take you into the delta state of deep sleep. This is why some people say they feel so refreshed and revived after a sound healing session that it feels like they’ve slept for an hour.

While it may sound a little New Age-y and woo-woo, it’s actually been practiced for thousands of years. In fact, the ancients would often use music to promote wellness and spiritual growth. With more than 90 percent of doctor’s visits attributed to stress, it seems that the soothing, relaxing sounds of sound healing could be just what you need. What is sound healing