Sound Healers Near Me

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FAQs:

What is a Sound Healer?

Sound healers use instruments, such as Tibetan bowls, crystal bowls, glasses, gongs and even tuning forks, that vibrate at specific frequencies when struck. These vibrations correspond to specific emotions.

Where Do Sound Healers Work?

Sound healing therapists work in all types of settings. You might find a sound therapist in a hospital or birthing center, but you can also meet them in alternative wellness spaces that offer treatments like yoga, meditation, and massage. They also hold positions at schools, rehab facilities, assisted living facilities, and more. What they intend to heal depends on where they work and the patients they see. In hospitals and other medical treatment centers, they use sound healing therapy to alleviate chronic pain. Sound healing therapy is also useful for emotional trauma and processing, stress, birthing, and general relaxation and wellness.

What is Sound Healing?

Sound healing is the use of specific instruments, music, tones, and other sonic vibrations to balance and heal the body, mind, and spirit. It involves using specialized sound frequencies to create a therapeutic atmosphere to promote deep rest, nervous system rebalancing, and emotional release. Ideally, a hypnotic, meditative, or theta brainwave state is created which allows access to deeper levels of inner wisdom and healing. A sound therapy treatment is performed using music or other sounds that you listen to while lying down or comfortably seated. Focusing on these soothing vibrations helps you relax and release stress, anxiety, and tension. It also encourages deep breathing and, may include meditation prompts and visualization exercises as well.

How Sound Healing Works?

The sound waves or vibrations created by certain tools, such as gongs, tuning forks, and singing bowls, can actually alter your brainwave frequencies. Vibration is measured in units of hertz (Hz), the same unit in which sound is measured — humans hear frequencies from 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz, but that doesn't mean those outside the limits don't affect us. And "When you have two vibrating entities next to each other, the stronger vibration will affect the weaker one; eventually, they'll synchronize. That's basic physics," explains David Perez-Martinez, M.D., an integrative psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and sound healing practitioner. Then there's basic anatomy: "In your ear, there's the vestibulocochlear nerve, which connects to the vagus nerve, the major parasympathetic nerve in the body," says Dr. Perez-Martinez. (Reminder: Your parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and digest" activities such as reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and relaxing muscles.) "This vagus nerve helps control hormone release, digestion, blood glucose levels, inflammation, heart rate, and blood pressure. And there's a little branch of the vagus nerve that goes right to the tympanic membrane [also known as the eardrum, which vibrates in response to sound waves. So that means that every sound that you process through your ears sends that information to the vagus nerve. Why does that all matter? An inactive or blocked vagus can mean bad news for your health, and stimulating it via the right frequencies could help.

What is the Science Behind Sound Healing?

There's some research suggesting that tuning forks — two-pronged steel devices that vibrate at a specific pitch when placed at certain points on the body — may help relieve muscle and bone pain. A 2016 study found that singing bowl meditation helped lower blood pressure, improve breathing and circulation, alleviate aches and pains, and strengthen the immune system. And a recent study on vibroacoustic therapy — when sounds and vibrations are applied directly to the body to penetrate you on a cellular level — found that the practice could be an effective treatment for chronic pain and injury recovery.

While the exact mechanisms behind these benefits are still being researched, one of the main things sound healing does is put your body into a parasympathetic state. When you're in the sympathetic, or "fight or flight" state — whether that's from stress or pain — your body is surging with cortisol and inflammatory molecules, and that's not healthy for the body.

Being in a parasympathetic state affects you on an emotional level and a physiological level. It increases antibody production for better immunity, it helps decrease cortisol, which helps you decrease high blood pressure, and it increases alpha and theta waves so you can be more alert during the day and go into a deeper sleep, where healing really occurs.

Using different sound frequencies can stimulate cell production of nitric oxide, a vasodilator that opens up blood vessels, helps cells be more efficient, and mediates your blood pressure at a cellular level. So anything that helps nitric oxide will help your healing response, and anything that calms your mood down will reduce inflammation, which also benefits your health.

Why is Sound Healing so Powerful?

In nature, vibrations travel via water and air. This is significant when you consider the human body is approximately 65 percent water. What vibrations or sounds are we communicating to one another, and what sort of energy are we producing for ourselves and for the rest of humanity? Sound is a potent, powerful energy that can express love and concern, or cause great pain and destruction. Human consciousness has begun to accept the possibility that we live in a magical world where the powerful energy vibrations made by music, positive thoughts, and words of love and harmony produce peace and beauty while vibrations lacking this positive energy produce distortion. Even the American Cancer Society has acknowledged that certain types of meditation such as the ones using a repetition of mantras—either silently in the form of thoughts or out loud—can bring a response of relaxation in the body.

Can Sound Waves Heal You?

Almost everything we experience in the universe is simply our perception of waves. When sound waves reach our ears, they are converted into electrical signals that travel up the auditory nerve into the auditory cortex, the part of the brain that processes sound. Once sound waves reach our brains, they trigger responses in our bodies. This process alters our emotions, releases hormones, and triggers certain impulses. Although research on how music changes our brains is lacking, there is evidence to suggest that musicians have different brains than those who are not musically inclined. 

Research has shown that the brains of musicians are more symmetrical. And that the parts of the brain responsible for motor and cognitive functioning, coordination, and reasoning, are significantly larger. And thanks to an enlarged corpus callosum, the two hemispheres of the brain have better communication.

In neurological studies, it has been proven that listening to music makes us more productive and creative. It can relieve stress and improves our moods. This is because listening to music floods our brains with dopamine. It also releases oxytocin, a natural painkiller, and a hormone that allows us to bond with others. In fact, oxytocin is most commonly found in mothers during labor.

Music also helps language development and improves communication. It’s even been shown to increase our IQs, so it’s safe to say that music makes us smarter. It improves our memory too, warding off brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s. Music is powerful. It can change our brains, and so it changes our bodies.

How Often Should I Do Sound Healing?

The frequency and duration of sessions vary depending on the needs of the individual. In a physical, emotional, or spiritual crisis, some people may come in once or twice per week. Once the initial concerns are addressed, you may come once a month or every other month for a tune-up or preventative care that helps keep the body in harmony. Sound healing sessions continue to shift overall health, and work both more quickly and more deeply than some other modalities you may have tried in the past. Sessions are effective for both ongoing health issues as well as preventative or wellness care. Many people are drawn to the work for the clarity, relaxation, and heightened awareness they experience during and after a sound healing session.

Is Sound Healing Music Therapy?

There is a difference between sound healing and music therapy. Sound healing uses specific frequencies and harmonics that are said to heal the body. Music therapy uses a cacophony of frequencies and harmonies that trigger an emotional response.

Can I Heal Myself with Sound?

Here are some tips on how you can use sound to heal yourself.

1. Do Bhramari Pranayama (Humming Bee Breath Exercise)

This breathing exercise is great for aligning the mind and body. You can practice this at any time.

2. Do Chanting

Chanting is more than just spiritual practice. One of the reasons behind chanting is to send positive vibrations to the entire body. This activates certain energies that make you feel a sense of positivity and calmness as you chant. You can chant OM or AUM. Whatever suits your belief, you can chant. Try to chant for as long as possible to allow vibrations to flow in the body and reach all the parts. Chant with an open heart, free mind, and open throat. The more open and loud your chant, the better healing benefits you reap.

3. Mantra Meditation

In Vedic tradition, mantras are associated with religious offerings to a deity, and chanting those mantras activate the energies associated with them. However, all mantras hold the power to channel inner energies. Whichever mantra you resonate with or like, chant it. Doing so in a meditating position helps in soul awakening. All the energy blockages would get cleared and you can restore your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

4. Toning Sounds

There are specific sounds for specific body parts. When you wish to heal a particular part, you can chant the toning sound related to that part. Here are some examples of toning sounds:

- Ears- Nnn

- Eyes- Eemm

- Sinuses- Mmm

- Nose- Llmm

- Lungs- Ssss

5. Bowls and Bells

Have you ever felt an instant surge in energy when you hear the sounds of metal bells and bowls? It is because of their sound frequency that activates the inner vibrations. In order to use sound for self-healing, you can try metal bowls, also known as singing bowls. These are widely used in meditation to initiate healing and promote relaxation. 

History of Sound Healing

Many cultures have used music and singing to heal the body and spirit since ancient times. Ancient Egyptians believed musical incantations could be an effective way to treat illness. Native American tribes also believed that certain sounds had healing powers. In the ancient Indian practice of nada yoga, yogis use sound vibrations to calm the mind and release stress.

The ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras is known as the “father of music” as He discovered musical intervals and was the first to prescribe music as medicine. He explored how harmonic frequencies could be used for healing, and applied these principles to everything from music, architecture, and government to family, friends, and personal growth.

Heinrich Wilhelm Dove discovered the neurological effect of binaural beats in 1839. In 1896 American doctors discovered that music could improve blood flow and improve thought processes. British Osteopath Sir Peter Guy Manners developed a machine to produce therapeutic sound vibrations for healing cells in the body in the 1950s.

Types of Sound Healing Sessions

There are many different types of sound therapy treatments available today. These can either be group experiences or individual sessions.

1. Sound baths are the most common type of sound therapy that is led by one or more musicians playing gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, temple bells, and other percussive instruments. A sound bath is a meditative experience where you lie down and allow your body and mind to be filled with soothing sounds. A sound bath allows us to enter into a state of meditation, where we focus on the instruments and vibrations around us rather than our thoughts. It allows us to focus inwardly while still being aware of what is happening around us. When we listen carefully to these resonating sounds, we can hear the subtle differences in pitch, tone, volume, and rhythm. These variations create a sense of calmness and relaxation.

2. Guided sound meditations are a popular type of sound therapy where an experienced musician plays specific instruments and guides you through visualization or meditation. The musician will play the same note over and over again until you reach a state of deep relaxation. You may notice that the notes seem familiar but they have been arranged differently. Guided Sound Meditations emphasize meditation facilitated mainly by imagery & instruction, rather than sound alone. Sound is present and aids the journey, but only serves as a backdrop to enhance feelings of calm & ease. The sound can take many forms, from nature sounds to gentle music or the simple droning of crystal singing bowls.

3. Chanting and kirtan are group-led practices of people singing and chanting mantras. Kirtan is a powerful tool for cultivating mindfulness, concentration, and compassion. In addition to being a wonderful meditative experience, kirtan is also a great way to connect with a spiritual community and the divine.

4. Vibroacoustic therapy uses low-frequency sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. A bed, chair, or mat with embedded speakers is used to listen to and physically feel the programmed healing vibrations.

5. Acutonics involves placing one or two tuning forks on various parts of the body to stimulate acupuncture points, trigger points, and/or areas of discomfort. These points are connected to meridians and chakras throughout the body, which means they affect the entire system. By stimulating these points with high-frequency sound waves, the practitioner aims to release blockages and restore harmony within the body.

6. Binaural beats are recorded music that spaces pure tones slightly apart from each other. They are designed to induce certain brainwaves by creating a frequency mismatch between them. When played back through headphones, the brain will make up the difference in oscillation and become entrained into a different brainwave state, such as alpha, theta, or deep delta. This allows us to enter a trancelike state where we can access altered states of consciousness.

Different Sound Healing Instruments

There are several types of instruments that work well for sound healing, but the instruments that work best originate from Eastern meditation practices and shamanic traditions. The following list includes some of the most common ones:

1. Tibetan singing bowls are hand-hammered metal bowls that can be struck to make a bell sound or rubbed with a wooden mallet on its edge to create a longer harmonic tone. The larger and thicker the bowl is the easier it will be to play. Smaller and lighter ones will be less expensive but may not have as pleasing a tone as the more expensive ones. Each one produces a different sound depending on its size and what metals are used in its construction.

2. Crystal singing bowls are made of quartz crystal and are easier to play with than Tibetan bowls. They produce a very clear tone when struck or rubbed.

3. The tambura is a traditional Indian instrument with four strings that produce a rich, resonant harmonic tone. It’s a good choice to create a centering drone sound.

4. Bamboo and Native American flutes are used in sound healing to create soothing and entrancing melodies.

5. Bells are another popular choice for playing occasionally during sessions. Their clear sharp sound clears out negative energy and opens up the upper chakra energy centers. They’re a great way to start and end a session.

6. Handpans and steel-tongue drums are great choices for playing percussion during sessions because they create beautiful melodies and calming tones.

7. Gongs are large, metal cymbals that produce a loud, booming, and reverberating sound. They’re a potent tool for playing percussion during a session as they add a lot of energy, vibration, depth, and power to a sound healing experience.

8. Rattles and shakers are useful for starting and ending a session. They’re great for creating ambiance during a session.

9. Frame drums are thin-framed wooden drums with a drum head stretched across one side. They’re typically tuned to a low pitch and are great for playing slow hypnotic rhythmic patterns during sessions.

10. Chimes consist of a series of tuned bars that ring out when struck. They’re great for starting and ending sessions.

11. Tuning forks are small, handheld devices consisting of two prongs tuned to a specific note or frequency. When you strike one of the prongs, it makes a high-pitched note. The stem of a struck tuning fork can be lightly placed on the skin to receive both sound and vibration at specific points on the body.

12. Rainsticks are musical instruments that produce a soft, gentle sound when tipped to one side. They’re great for calming the mind and easing stress.

7 Commonly Used Solfeggio Frequencies

This is a form of music that uses specific sound patterns to stimulate the brain. These special tracks help your brain waves achieve a frequency that has many benefits. Solfeggio Frequencies are typically used for transformational purposes and can help improve relationships, deal with fear and change, awaken one’s intuition, and so on. These Solfeggio Frequencies include a set of sacred numbers with a repeating sequence of 3, 6, and 9, and each Solfeggio Frequency has a specific purpose. These tones contain the frequency required to balance your energy and heal you. For example, the 528 hertz (Hz) frequency can be used to repair DNA and is a frequency of Universal miracles. Solfeggio Frequencies are used in the meditative Soundscapes at Hong Kong’s Fivelements Habitat.

The 7 commonly used Solfeggio Frequencies and their characteristics are:

396 Hz – Liberating Guilt and Fear

417 Hz – Undoing Situations and Facilitating Change

528 Hz – Transformation and Miracles

639 Hz – Connecting Relationships

741 Hz – Awakening Intuition

852 Hz – Returning to Spiritual Order

963 Hz – Divine Consciousness or Enlightenment

Effects of Sound Healing

Entrainment is a method of synchronizing our brainwaves by producing a stable, solid frequency that our brains adjust to and then match. Healing with sound can improve or cure many ailments including:

- Autism

- Depression

- Learning disabilities

- Anxiety disorder

- Stress

- PTSD

- Pain

It can also bring about:

- Clarity and balance

- Relaxation

- Improved memory and concentration

- Improved sleep

- A stronger immune system

- Improved creativity

- Heightened awareness, both of the self and the environment

Benefits of Sound Healing

1. Improving organizational skills

The brain is focused, and there is 'less going' on in it, this makes taking control of the daily tasks on a whole new level possible. A sound therapy course does help in improving organizational skills benefitting both work and family life.

2. Getting relief from common ailments

Many of the ailments in the modern age are stress-related, and relief from these ailments is relieved by using sound therapy. Problems like high blood pressure, stomach pain, depression, and joint pains are related to stress and anxiety. A healing environment is created by the sounds where the body and the mind collectively heal.

3. Boosts the health

Benefits include better sleep, reduction of chronic pain and blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, and a decreased risk of heart diseases. 

4. Support system for the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being

Sound healing works on healing the mental and emotional levels. Sound healing reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. Balancing and clearing the mind leads to a renewed sense of purpose, well-being, calm, and happiness.

5. Very relaxing

Deep relaxation is the most universal benefit of sound therapy. The sounds do happen to permeate our system bringing it back towards harmony. With busy schedules, we can use the fulfilling vibes as relaxation is always worth it.

6. Propagates clearing of energetic blockages

The sound therapy session makes the sound vibrations open, and clear, balances the chakras, and does release the stuck-up energy. Consider it equivalent to an energetic deep tissue massage that leaves behind the feeling of being replenished, and vanquished. Feeling the physical sensations like tingling in the hands or a sense of being hot or cold. It is about breathing into such forms of sensations without attaching to them and allowing the sensation to pass.

7. Gives in more focus

Sound therapy can help regain focus in life. This is understood by lowering the levels of the brain wave frequency to help focus. This can certainly help in coping with day-to-day activities; sound therapy can even be used in achieving better athletic performance, for instance.

8. More of an energy boost

Do feel connected to signals that the brain sends throughout the body. A body under stress feels fatigued, and one of the main organs that affect stress levels is the ears. Sound therapy feeds the brain with stimulating sounds that motivate the brain to release any latent energy.

9. Occurrence of fewer headaches

Sound therapy is used to receive relief from chronic headaches and migraines. In a way, it addresses underlying causes of headaches such as stress and high blood pressure. Adults who have suffered from migraines do get relief from their known symptoms after two weeks of therapy.

10. Boosts in confidence

Creating new plus positive patterns in the brain with sound therapy can give a great confidence boost. Taking charge of new challenges is possible and having the confidence to make necessary changes in life is seen.

11. Improved relationships with others

Too much stress is a major cause of breakdowns in relationships, in the family, the workplace, and anywhere else where we interact with others. The stress levels begin to reduce and the ability to focus on strengthening relationships is observed.

12. Helps to think more clearly

Usage of specific frequencies re-balances the brain function, sound therapy helps to think clearer, and in turn, avoids the temptation to rely on self-destructive and addictive habits. A healthy mind happens to promote a healthy body and breaking the cycle of negative thinking and habits makes one enjoy a much calmer plus focused life.

Modes of Sound Healing Sessions

Types of sound healing therapy are as follows:

1. A sound bath

In a sound bath session, you will experience the extended savasana (corpse pose), so lie down and relax comfortably while being bathed in the succinct healing vibrations of sound.

2. A private session

Book a private sound healing session with a trained practitioner who will play instruments such as the Tibetan singing bowls, and can fabulously “bathe” in the sounds.

3. A solo session

Sound healing is available to all and free to practice on its own accord too. It can be done along with humming, chanting, and even singing.

What to Expect from a Sound Healing Session

Sound therapy treatment is done by playing specific frequencies of sound around and on specific body parts of the patient. These healing sessions are held in a private room, yoga studio, or community space. A personalized session begins with an introduction to the client’s health concerns, followed by a guided meditation that will help you relax and receive healing vibrations. A recording of the session may be made for you on request.

A group experience will be more like an acoustic sound concert in a small public space. Instruction will be provided on how to best receive and work with this therapeutic practice. Group healing sessions can also provide a social experience to fulfill your needs for a spiritual or healing community.

Potential Side Effects and Issues from a Sound Healing Session

1. Overstimulation or discomfort from loud or repetitive sounds

Some individuals may find that certain sounds, particularly those that are loud or repetitive, cause discomfort or even pain. This can be due to individual sensitivity or personal preference, as everyone's experience and threshold for sound can vary.

2. Nausea or dizziness from certain frequencies or vibrations

Nausea and dizziness are common side effects that some people may experience during or after a sound healing session. This may be due to exposure to certain frequencies or vibrations that are too intense or unfamiliar to the individual's system. It is important for practitioners to be aware of the potential for nausea and dizziness and to adjust their approach or technique accordingly.

3. Emotional distress or release of deeply suppressed emotions

Sound healing can sometimes bring up deeply suppressed emotions, leading to emotional distress or release during or after a session. This can be a difficult and sometimes uncomfortable experience for the client, but it can also be an important part of the healing process.

4. Flashbacks or re-experiencing of traumatic events

Sound can stimulate the memory centers of the brain, which can trigger the recall of traumatic events or experiences that the client may have suppressed or forgotten. This can be a difficult and distressing experience for the client and may require additional support and guidance from the practitioner.

5. Hallucinations or illusions in people with mental health conditions

Sound healing involves the use of sound and vibrations to stimulate different areas of the brain and nervous system, which can have a powerful effect on perception and sensory experiences. Individuals with mental health conditions may be more susceptible to experiencing hallucinations or illusions during a sound healing session. This can be due to the nature of their condition and the way in which their brain processes sensory information. 

6. Negative reactions to certain instruments or frequencies

This negative reaction can manifest in different ways, depending on the individual. Some people may experience discomfort or pain in the ears or head, while others may feel irritable or anxious. In some cases, the negative reaction may be related to the release of deep-seated emotions or the healing process itself. Furthermore, certain frequencies may trigger traumatic memories or emotions, leading to negative reactions in clients.

7. Interference with hearing aids or other medical devices

Sound healing sessions that involve the use of sound waves at high volumes or frequencies may interfere with hearing aids or other medical devices such as pacemakers or implantable defibrillators. The sound waves can disrupt the function of these devices and potentially cause harm to the individual.

8. Discomfort or pain from lying still for extended periods of time

During a sound healing session, clients are typically asked to lie still and relax while the sound vibrations do their work. For some individuals, this can be uncomfortable or even painful, especially if they have pre-existing medical conditions that make it difficult to lie still for extended periods of time.

9. Discomfort or pain from instruments being played on or near the body without proper communication and consent

During a sound healing session, some practitioners may use instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, or tuning forks on or near the client's body. While this can be a deeply relaxing and transformative experience for some, it can also cause discomfort or pain if not done with proper communication and consent. Each individual's body and personal space should be respected, and practitioners should obtain explicit consent from the client before playing instruments on or near their body. This involves communicating clearly with the client about the intended use of the instruments, the expected sensations, and any potential discomfort or pain that may occur.

List of Contra-Indications for Sound Healing

It is important for individuals to disclose any relevant medical conditions or concerns with their sound healer to ensure a safe and effective healing experience. The following is a list of contra-indications for sound healing that is good to know for both practitioner and client :

- Pregnancy (first trimester)

- Epilepsy or seizures

- Pacemaker or other electronic implants

- Recent surgery (within 3 months)

- Serious mental health conditions (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)

- Acute inflammatory conditions or fever

- Acute physical injury or trauma

- Infectious diseases (e.g. cold, flu, COVID-19)

- Severe hypertension

- Severe migraines or headaches

- Hearing impairment or deafness

- Sensory processing disorder

- Severe tinnitus

- Active addiction

- Severe fatigue or exhaustion

- Serious or terminal illness

Sources:

Yoga Basics

SHAPE

Destination Deluxe

Med India

The Mind Orchestra

Chopra

Mindvalley

Acucare

ENT Clinic

Silent Mind

Niyama Yoga

E Times

 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.