Sound Therapists Near Me

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FAQs:

What is Sound Therapy?

Sound therapy employs specific sound frequencies and techniques in therapeutic settings to improve health and well-being. Sound therapy combines sound vibration with various new-age psychological tools to promote relaxation. Sound therapy is a carefully and clinically advanced technique for improving neurology, psychology, and physiology. This technique entails a brief self-interrogation using motion, breath, visuals, and sound. Vocal or instrumental sound vibrations, like sound healing, are created for a specific purpose. Vibrational techniques are very much dependent on the goal. The majority of health problems are caused by mental stress. Sound therapy aims to relieve mental stress by removing psychological impediments.

How Does Sound Therapy Work?

Many researchers continue to determine how mental conditions affect physical conditions in today’s medical world. Rather than treating the symptoms of the conditions, these researchers try to get to the root cause of the conditions and their solutions. Every object on this earth, including the human body, vibrates at different frequencies. When two distinct frequencies collide, they tend to resonate. We experience the same thing. When external higher-energy vibrations collide with lower-energy vibrations in our bodies, they raise our energy through resonance. So why can sounds affect one’s mental state? There is no adequate answer to this question— the vibrations produced by various sources massage our internal tissues and eternal soul. Internal massaging, like physical massaging, relaxes our cells, tissues, organs, and the mind.

What is the Purpose of Sound Therapy?

Sound Therapy is effective in not only achieving a state of relaxation but also has a way of moving through blockages in the body. Sound Therapy has been known to help treat such conditions as stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, depression, sleep disorders, pain, and autism.

How Often Should Sound Therapy Be Used for Maximum Effectiveness?

The frequency of sound therapy will depend on the individual and their goals. Generally, it is recommended to use sound therapy two to three times a week over a period of six weeks in order to experience maximum results. While some may experience some effects in one session, the benefits are more effective when continued with consistency. Additionally, if dealing with chronic health issues, it is suggested to gradually increase the frequency up to four or five times per week over several months. It is also important to note that taking periodic breaks can also be beneficial. Therefore, it is best to discuss what plan would work best for your needs with a qualified practitioner.

What Kind Of Equipment Is Used In Sound Therapy Sessions?

In sound therapy sessions, a variety of equipment can be used depending on the type of sound therapy being practiced. For example, traditional sound healing practices like gong baths, crystal bowls, and drums are commonly employed. Other materials such as rattles and tuning forks can also be used to create specific frequencies and vibrations. In more modern sound therapy techniques such as binaural beats, high-tech equipment like headphones or earbuds plug into audio players to play specially designed tones that aim to produce positive effects in the listener. There are also apps and computer programs available that generate binaural beats and other instruments of sound therapy, allowing people to experience these treatments in the comfort of their own homes. No matter which kind of equipment is used, sound therapy has the potential to be a powerful healing tool for those seeking holistic, noninvasive treatments for their ailments.

Does Sound Therapy Treat Tinnitus?

In most cases, sound therapy combined with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) can effectively treat tinnitus. Sound therapy is most effective when directed by an audiologist with specific training in and experience with tinnitus. Not all audiologists have been trained to treat tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia, and that professional will have the biggest impact on a patient’s success. Before your audiologist suggests a specific tinnitus treatment, they will first want to identify what is causing you to experience tinnitus in the first place. Tinnitus has many possible underlying causes including exposure to loud noises, age-related hearing loss, various diseases, and several others. While the results of sound therapy cannot be guaranteed, these evidence-based, FDA-approved treatment options have provided lasting relief to people all around the world.

What Other Therapies Are Often Used in Conjunction with Sound Therapy?

Using sound, rhythm, and vibration in conjunction with other conventional or alternative therapies, such as individual or group sessions, yoga, brain mapping, exercising or acupuncture enables patients to tackle not only the physical effects of the addiction but the emotional and mental ones too. More often than not, addiction also leads to the development of a co-occurring condition (or vice versa), and cleansing the body of the substance isn’t enough for a complete and lasting recovery, patients must also address the physiological and emotional issues that may have led to the destructive behavior in the first place. Sound therapy allows professionals to tackle addiction at a brainwave level, thus making it easier for patients to achieve a meditative state and come to terms with their problems.

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.

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:

1. Ears- Nnn

2. Eyes- Eemm

3. Sinuses- Mmm

4. Nose- Llmm

5. Lungs- Ssss

6. 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. 

How Long Does Sound Therapy Last?

Sound therapy is a progressive treatment program that is most effective when it’s paired with educational counseling. It may take as long as two to three months to notice any changes and as much as a year before the tinnitus is no longer noticeable.

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.

History of Sound Therapy

Tibetans have used metal singing bowls and other instruments for healing for more than 2,000 years. In ancient Greece and Egypt, physicians believed the vibrations absorbed from flutes and lyres could treat and prevent medical conditions including mental disorders, indigestion, and insomnia. Beginning in the Middle Ages, cathedrals were built with bell towers, believing those acoustics would bring people closer to the Divine. Researchers began to study the correlation between music and healing toward the end of the 19th century. Today, sound therapies around the world widely use singing bowls, chimes, and other instruments.

The Neuro-Anatomy of Sound Therapy

Sound Therapy stimulates the ear by presenting it with constantly alternating sounds of high and low tones, within the complex structure of classical music. Stimulation via the sensory pathways re-maps the brain, improving the way we understand and process sound. The brain, in turn, sends signals back to the ear to improve its function. One theory suggests that this feedback loop results in better performance of the middle ear muscles and of the tiny, hair-like receptor cells in the inner ear. As the ear becomes open and receptive to high-frequency sounds these are then passed on to the brain. Research has shown that brain function is improved through high-frequency sound. There is an increase in blood flow to certain centers along with increased electrical activity. The results observed in Sound Therapy listeners include increased energy, reduced fatigue with improved focus and creativity, a reduction in the need for sleep, and an almost permanent state of peace and relaxation.

Principles of Sound Therapy

The principles of sound healing transcend the understanding of the body’s mechanical reception of sound. In fact, the principles of sound therapy are rooted in the goal of transitioning the body’s vibrations to an optimum state. Practitioners believe that a person and his or her body parts and organs are comprised of unique frequencies. Practitioners perform therapeutic applications of sound vibrations with the intention of bringing harmony and balance.

Another key principle of sound healing is that our bodies resonate efficiently with sound waves since the majority of our composition is water. The molecules in water are denser, which allows them to transmit energy faster from one particle to the next.

Another essential principle is the intention behind the sound. This is often thought of as the reason why the sound was generated. People usually create sound or music with the intention to entertain or relax. In sound therapy, the practitioner focuses his or her intention on delivering healing energy to the patient. It is believed that the sound waves become imbued with the practitioner's positive intentions. However, should the sound healing practitioner feel negative emotions, such as anger or anxiety, this can also be transmitted to the patient and may therefore adversely affect the healing process.

What Conditions is Sound Therapy Used For?

Sound therapy has been around for centuries, and researchers today continue to explore it as an alternative treatment for medical conditions. Take a look at some of the other conditions that may benefit from sound therapy as a complementary treatment (Shahid, 2021; Wang, 2020). 

1. Tinnitus

One of the most popular uses for sound therapy is treating tinnitus, which is a continual ringing or buzzing in one or both ears.  Working and socializing are very challenging for people who suffer from this condition. How tinnitus is treated depends on the cause. One treatment method is called modulated wave therapy. This creates a frequency that matches an individual’s buzzing or ringing tone, which may help suppress symptoms for some (Wang, 2020). 

2. Alzheimer’s disease

Animal studies suggest that the combined use of light and sound may improve areas of the brain associated with remembering and recognizing objects––the same spots affected by Alzheimer’s disease (Martorell, 2019).

3. Fibromyalgia

Low-frequency sounds (30–120 Hz) may reduce chronic pain in those with fibromyalgia, a common pain disorder associated with fatigue and sleep disruption. One study on exposure to low-frequency sounds (around 40 Hz) reported that those with fibromyalgia used less pain medication, had an improved range of motion, and could sit or stand longer without pain (Naghdi, 2015).

Types of Sound Therapy

 Brainwave Entrainment

Also known as binaural beats or functional music, this method stimulates the brain into a specific state using pulsing sound to encourage your brain waves to align to the frequency of the beat. It’s supposed to help induce enhanced focus, an entranced state, relaxation, and sleep. Though more research is needed, there’s some evidence that audible brainwave entrainment reduces anxiety, pain, and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, as well as improves behavioral problems in children. This is a very popular biohacking technique for inducing a meditative, relaxed state.

1. Guided Meditation

Guided meditation is a form of sound healing in which you meditate to voice instruction, either in a session or class or using a video or app. Meditation can involve sounds such as chanting or repeating mantras or prayers, listening to a peaceful description of a setting or scenario, and breathwork guidance. Research has found that guided meditation offers a number of health benefits including reduced stress, improved memory, pain reduction, and lowered cholesterol. There are plenty of apps, videos, and playlists available for any length of meditation – whether it’s only 5 minutes or 2 hours.

2. Neurologic Music Therapy

Music therapy can reduce stress and promote relaxation. It’s been shown to be more effective than prescription drugs in reducing anxiety levels before surgery. A study published in 2017 found that a 30-minute music therapy session combined with traditional care after spinal surgery reduced pain. Music therapy is administered by a credentialed provider who assesses the individual’s needs. Treatment involves creating, listening, singing, or moving to music. It’s used for physical rehab, pain management, and brain injuries.

3. Tuning Fork Therapy

Tuning fork therapy uses calibrated metal tuning forks to apply specific vibrations to different parts of the body. This can help release tension and energy, and promote emotional balance. It supposedly works similarly to acupuncture, using sound frequencies for point stimulation instead of needles. There is research suggesting that tuning fork therapy may help relieve muscle and bone pain, and some say other benefits include better digestion, reduced inflammation, a balanced nervous system, and improved sleep.

4. Vibrational Resonance Therapy

Vibrational resonance therapy (VRT), also known as acoustic resonance therapy (ART), promotes relaxation and healing through the use of sound and vibration. Listening and feeling the music simultaneously allows the body to naturally relax into the harmonic flow, thus allowing the body to reset and return to its natural state of being. With musical harmonic resonance, the body will relax stressed muscles and joints and activate neural pathways in the brain to help create mental focus and a stable heart rate. When the body and mind are able to relax into a state of peaceful listening, it is able to stimulate endorphins that promote balance in the body, which in turn boosts the immune system.

Top Ten Benefits of Sound Therapy

In today's age of stress, anxiety, and frustration it can seem very difficult to get any kind of break from the pressures of our daily activities. One way to make a positive change in your life and relieve stress is to use sound therapy. The ways that your body reacts to certain sounds and vibrations can have a positive impact on your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Here are the top ten benefits that you can get from sound therapy:

1. Relief from stress

One of the greatest benefits that a person feels from sound therapy is relief from stress. The soothing sounds help to re-tune your brain to cope with stress better by replenishing brain energy with high-frequency sound.

2. Fewer headaches

Many people use sound therapy to get relief from chronic headaches and migraines. It can also address the underlying cause of many headaches like stress and high blood pressure. One study reported that adults who suffered from migraines got relief from their symptoms after two weeks of therapy.

3. Boost confidence

Creating new, positive patterns in your brain with sound therapy can also give you a great confidence boost. You will be able to take charge of new challenges and have the confidence to make necessary changes in your life.

4. Gives you more focus

Sound therapy can also help you regain focus in your life. This is achieved by lowering brain wave frequency to help you focus more. This can help you, not just in coping with day-to-day activities; sound therapy can even be used to achieve better athletic performance.

5. More energy

Much of how you feel is connected to signals your brain sends throughout the body. A body under stress feels tired and fatigued and one of the main organs that affects stress levels are our ears. Sound therapy feeds the brain with stimulating sounds that motivate the brain to release latent energy.

6. Improved relationships with others

Too much stress is one of the major causes of breakdowns in relationships within the family, workplace, and anywhere else where we interact with others. With the help of sound therapy, your stress levels get reduced and to are able to focus more on building and strengthening relationships.

7. Think more clearly

By using specific frequencies to help re-balance brain function, sound therapy can help you think clearer and avoid the temptation to rely on self-destructive and addictive habits. A healthy mind promotes a healthy body and you can break the cycle of negative thinking and habits to enjoy a much calmer and more focused life.

8. Improve organizational skills

Obviously, when your brain is more focused and there is 'less going' on in it, you are able to take control of your daily tasks on a whole new level. You will find that a course of sound therapy will help improve your organizational skills which will benefit your work and family life.

9. Improved attention span

Many parents who have children that suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), speech or language difficulties have found many benefits from sound therapy. This is because sound therapy can help retrain the brain to listen more efficiently and help focus attention on tasks.

10. Get relief from common ailments

Because many of the ailments and health problems that we face in the modern age are stress-related, you can get relief from these by regularly using sound therapy. For example, problems like hypertension, stomach pain, depression, and joint pains are all related to stress and anxiety. When the correct sounds vibrate around the body, it creates a healing environment where the body and mind start healing.

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

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 released 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.

Sources:

Balance on Buffalo

Audio Cardio

Infrared Sauna

Universal Sound Therapy

MN Yoga Life

Wellwood Health

Sound Relief

Sound Therapy International

RO

Windward Way

Yoga Basics

Mindvalley

E Times

Destination Deluxe

The Mind Orchestra

Healthy Hearing

Shanti Bowl

 

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.