How does Sound Therapy work?
All matter vibrates, every atom in the universe is in constant motion and has it's own unique frequency.
When we are unwell, injured or stressed, that cellular frequency is affected. Sound Therapy instruments can help to restore our cells to their natural frequency, via the process of sympathetic resonance.
This phenomena occurs when a vibratory body responds to external vibrations. Since our body is essentially composed of water (60-70% depending on sex, age diet, etc.), the sound waves readily pass through and affect our cells. By using the sound healing tools around or in close proximity to the body, it can help to reset and re-harmonise the natural cellular frequencies in areas of imbalance. Dissonant frequencies are transformed so original cellular vibratory frequencies can be restored.
Joined with positive intention, this ‘re-set’ of the vibrational frequency of the cells, can begin promoting holistic healing.
The sound waves also interact with our brainwaves, putting us quickly and effectively into a relaxed state. It is similar to meditation in its effects. However, studies measuring brainwaves with EEG (elctroencephalography) have shown that the healing sounds can alter our brainwave patterns more quickly than in traditional meditation, allowing us to reap the benefits of deep states of relaxation almost immediately.
There are a number of different brainwave states, which the brain activates at various times each day or night. There is always a dominant brainwave state, dependent on the prevailing state of consciousness.
Each of these brainwave states occurs in a specific frequency range, measured in cycles per second or 'Hertz' (Hz) and is measurable by an EEG.
However, the brain does not solely activate one brainwave state at any given time, but instead 'pulses' in different areas of the brain simultaneously, with one main state prevailing.
Sound Healing works on consciousness by causing the brain to 'follow' a sound into a relaxed brainwave state.
If the brain is presented with a repeating stimulus, it responds by gradually synchronising it's cycles to the same rhythm, through Frequency Following Response (FFR), what is commonly called Entrainment.
This is when two separate oscillating wave forms gradually fall into phase and become one. The principle is universal and can be observed in many scientific and natural systems: chemistry, neurology, biology, astronomy, etc.
This entrainment relates to the brain’s electrical response (the 'Cortical Evoked Response') to a rhythmic sensory stimulation, such as pulses of sound. The response then travels throughout the brain and ultimately becomes empirical data: what we see, hear and feel.
Entrainment is used in sound therapy to stimulate the brainwave frequencies that are associated with relaxation, positive well-being and healing.
Since brainwaves are intrinsically linked with states of consciousness, when we create a general range of sounds that induce these brainwave states, we introduce deep relaxation and a mindset able to initiate positive change.
One of the popular methods used in specific frequency brainwave entrainment is BINAURAL BEATS.
Finally, the sound instruments also interact with our energy centres and bio-field (the subtle body or 'aura'): rebuilding, revitalising and refreshing our energetic patterns.
This is obviously a little more contentious, as their existence is not generally accepted by the wider scientific community, but through the research of people like Dr. Valerie Hunt and others, exciting discoveries are being made and attitudes are beginning to change.
We can also 'see' the harmonising effects of the sound waves through the science of Cymatics, where a physical medium, such as sand, is used to map the beautiful mandala-like frequency patterns emitted by sounds. There are a number of videos displaying this on Youtube.
Given the comparatively recently proven beneficial effects of the interactions sound waves have with the body and mind, it logically follows that they should also beneficially interact with our energy fields and centres.
The combination of all these methods in Sound Bath and Sound Healing therefore present a welcome opportunity to clear, balance and harmonise the entire body, mind and soul: letting us deeply relax whilst facilitating the body's natural healing processes.