What is Sound Therapy?
A powerful approach to health & wellbeing
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Have you ever wondered why music moves us so powerfully, or the sounds of birds fills us with joy, or the cry of a child triggers our protective instincts? Almost every moment of every day, we react to sound on some level. It’s well documented now that everything is vibration - we are beings of vibration. Doesn’t it make sense that we would use sound, vibration, and frequency, which the body recognizes, to help keep us in a state of health and wellness?
What is Sound Therapy?
While many people are just discovering it, sound therapy is a return to ancient practices using chants and singing bowls to restore our health and wellness. Many cultures have been using the power of sound, voice, and vibration for thousands of years.
Sonic instruments like singing bowls, gongs, chimes, tuning forks, and voice are used to initiate a deeply immersive, full-body listening experience. When exposed to therapeutic sound, our brain waves quickly drop into a profoundly deeper state, which is elusive to many in our stressful world. The use of frequency and vibration has been found to relax and reset your nervous system so you can alleviate stress and build resiliency to life’s ups and downs.
See article on Mystic Mag The Transformative Power of Voice and Sound Therapy
3 Common Forms of Sound Therapy
Music Therapy, which uses therapist-guided sounds to enhance memory and alleviate stress
Tuning Fork Therapy, which helps your body respond to vibration by aligning and balancing energy flow
Binaural beats, which involve playing two separate tones in each ear, which are perceived as a single tone by the brain.
All forms of sound therapy work much in the same way - sound relaxes, energizes, and restores us.
Ways You Can Experience Sound Therapy
Sound therapy can be experienced in-person or virtually, either in an individual or group setting. Sound therapy sessions can vary widely depending on the practitioner and the goal.
1:1 In-Person, Individual Sound Therapy Session
For the individual, in-person sound session, the client lies fully clothed on a massage table, while therapeutic Zen singing bowls are placed on or around you to create a combination of tones and vibrations that produce a state of tranquility and act as an inner vibrational massage for the nervous system. This modality, called Vibrational Sound Therapy (VST), can retune your body, mind and spirit, encouraging relaxation, healing and wellness.
Virtual Individual Sound Bath Therapy Session - via Zoom
Virtual sessions offer the convenience of staying in the comfort of your home. All you need is a pair of earbuds or headphones for the best listening experience.
Group Sound Bath - In Person
In a group sound session, which is usually called a “sound bath,” you sit or lie down around the practitioner while quartz crystal singing bowls and other sonic instruments are played, bathing you in ambient (and quite beautiful) sound frequencies.
Virtual Zen: Elevate Team Morale with Online Corporate Sound Therapy Sessions - via Zoom
Support your team's well-being and foster a harmonious work environment, all from the comfort of your own space with a curated, professional sound bath meditation experience. Unwind, recharge, and find inner balance with our virtual corporate sound baths.
Often, Sound Therapy can go by several different names. For clarity’s sake, I wanted to list out some of the common terms that are often synonymous:
- Sound healing
- Sound healing therapy
- Vibrational sound therapy
- Sound bath
- Gong bath
- Vibration therapy
- Vibrational healing
- Binaural beats
- Vibrational sound
- Tuning Fork Therapy
What are Some Other Names for Sound Therapy?
Let’s Break it Down Further: What is Sound?
We’re constantly surrounded by sound, but what is it? When atomic particles bump into their neighbors, they pass on their vibrations. This transfer of vibrations between any two atoms or molecules is known as sound.
Most of us have heard that everything is vibration - everything is vibrating at different rates or frequencies. The air vibrates, the chair you are sitting on vibrates, YOU vibrate! Quantum physics discovered that atoms are made of subatomic particles, which continually vibrate at certain frequencies. Sound is a vibration that travels through air, water, and solids and through your body; it reforms matter and can shift you both biologically and energetically.
In addition to perceiving sound through our ears, a recent NIH study shows that we also "hear" the pressure waves of sound through our skin. Also, it’s worth mentioning that out bodies are about 72% water, and sound travels through water five times faster than it travels through the air. The vibration from sound frequencies actually excites and reforms your body at the molecular level.
Your whole body and biofield is wired to receive sound and vibration.
Why Does Paying Attention to Frequency Matter?
Every day we react to sound frequencies and vibrations at some level. Some can be jarring and damaging to our systems and incongruous with our natural state of being. These non-harmonious effects do not stop with the cessation of these disturbances. They can continue to lower our resonant vibration, which can cause low-level irritation and anxiety.
When our resonant frequency is low, we can get sick. Therapeutic sound frequencies can, through the principle of resonance, make our cells vibrate again in their original state and create heart/brain coherence. Resonance and entrainment, the cornerstones of sound therapy, occur naturally between the heart and brain, and help balance the subtle natural frequencies of your body.
It is believed that our thoughts and feelings also have an energetic signature and can be influenced by higher frequencies. Emotions we consider uncomfortable, like anger or sadness, vibrate at relatively low levels. Elevated emotions, like love and joy, vibrate at higher levels. Emotions resonate with the vibrational frequency that they generate. The higher the frequency, the higher the energy generated (life force). The lower the frequency, the lesser the life force energy.
What are Alpha and Theta Brain Wave Patterns, and Why do we Want to Access them?
There are five basic types of brain waves that range from very slow to very fast. When we are in a state of relaxation, deep meditation, hypnosis, or dream state, brain frequency is reduced to alpha and theta brain waves.
Your brain produces alpha waves when you’re not focusing too hard and feeling relatively calm and relaxed. These waves measure between 8 and 12 Hz.
When you’re sleeping lightly or when you’re extremely relaxed, as in a sound therapy session, your brain may produce theta waves, measured between 4 and 8 Hz. When in theta, you may experience lucid dreaming, the release of repressed emotions, subconscious memories, or visions.
These lower brain wave patterns induce feelings of calm, focus, increased creativity, and enhance your ability to absorb new information. Research has found that they may also be beneficial for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Let’s Rewind: What are the Origins of Sound Therapy Modality?
The ancient art of sound healing has been around for over 5,000 years. Sound and music have been used in many cultures around the world for ceremonies, prayer, transformation, celebrations, and healing. In Australia, the Aboriginals played the didgeridoo; the Egyptians chanted with the sacred vowels, and Buddhists have long used Tibetan singing bowls for meditation.
Singing bowls originated in Mesopotamia and made their way to the regions of Tibet, Nepal, and India, which all have singing bowls in their history and culture dating back some 2,000 years. Most of the world’s metal singing bowls still originate from these areas today.
For the past 30 years, quartz crystal bowls have been used as crucibles in the semiconductor industry to grow microchips due to the electrical properties of quartz. By accident, it was discovered that the quartz crucibles were extremely resonant and could make beautiful tones.
So How is this Good for Me? What are the Benefits of Sound Therapy?
If you’ve made it this far on this page, you understand by now that you’re essentially a symphony of frequencies. Every organ, bone, and cell in your body has its own resonant frequency. Sound therapy uses audible vibrations to shift those subtle frequencies to restore your nervous system and balance the resonance of your biofield, which is the energy field surrounding your body.
The benefit of sound healing therapy are many and may include:
Increased blood circulation
Lowering blood pressure and heart rate
Facilitating the release of endorphins, melatonin, and nitric oxide
Synchronizing the brain hemispheres, promoting increased cognition, focus, and creativity
Triggering the relaxation response of the parasympathetic nervous system
Improves mental clarity, focus, and quiets mind chatter
Reducing stress, anger, depression, and fatigue
Increasing vagal tone for emotional resiliency
Promoting a resting brain state where deep restoration and cellular repair takes place
These benefits make sound therapy very effective in helping to ease the symptoms associated with anxiety, insomnia, depression, and PTSD, among others.
“We all were blown away by Ruth’s talent and beautiful offering of sound healing. She is so creative and intuitive and organized! We will definitely hope to have her join us again next year.”
It’s no secret that stress and anxiety can flood your body with cortisol and adrenaline, which can compromise your immune system. When we use sound healing therapy, the body returns to a place of homeostasis, which facilitates your body’s ability to heal itself.
One of the biggest proponents of using singing bowls for healing was Mitchell Gaynor, an oncologist, and professor at Weill Cornell Medical College. Gaynor, who began working with singing bowls in the 1990s, advocated using sound healing in addition to conventional treatment and medicine. His reason for this was that sound therapy eased the psychological and physical effects of those with disease. He also argued that sound therapy gave patients “lower stress hormones and stronger immune systems.”
"I highly recommend sound therapy with Ruth! It has a deep impact at the cellular level. Great to reduce stress, fatigue and improve overall 'feeling well' experience.” -Vibha R, Ayurvedic Wellness Consultant
What are Practical Ways I Can Incorporate Sound into My Life?
As beautiful as they are, you don’t have to have a room full of singing bowls to experience the therapeutic effects of sound. If it calls to you to invite a singing bowl into your home, 1 or 2 bowls, played with intention, can offer you a beautiful, meditative experience. Notable sound therapist, Jonathan Goldman created a formula:
Frequency + Intent = Healing - whether with 1 or 50 bowls!
As a former voice teacher and performer, my go-to instrument was my voice for years before I became a sound therapist. Your voice is a very powerful tool for healing and empowerment. It vibrates you from the inside with frequencies that are custom-made just for you!
A woman’s average voice frequency starts at 165 Hz. Viruses, pathogens, and disease cannot thrive above 58 Hz. So just by making sound with intention - humming, singing, toning, or just making organic sounds - you can keep your resonant vibration high enough to support your immune system.
Learn more about the potential of your voice for healing and empowerment with my online program:
Healing with Your Sacred Voice | Udemy
Need a few more suggestions?
9 Ways to Incorporate the Power of Sound Into Your Life
You can easily incorporate sound and vibration into your life by:
Listening and/or dancing to uplifting music - I love 80’s rock and Mozart!
Find a sound bath event near you
Book a private or virtual sound healing session with me here
Listen to guided meditations
Listen to “healing music” or “healing frequencies” on YouTube
Forest bathing - take in the vibrations of mother Earth
Deep meditative breathing - your breath is the rhythm of your body
Grounding/earthing - walk or stand on the earth with bare feet (make some sound, too!)
Connecting with the vibration of your pets and plants
There are many ways that you can help yourself heal, relieve anxiety, open your heart and transform your life and how you live it. You can access the power of sound, voice and vibration to create a state of harmony, health, and well-being.
“Your meditation today was so amazing. I can’t believe how good I feel. I haven’t felt this good in years! I wish you could do this to me everyday. My body feels so good, nothing hurts, I feel so relaxed.”
— Cathy M.
“ “I experienced Ruth’s sound healing therapy session with an intimate group of friends and colleagues. My mind was blown away with the entire experience from the moment I walked in the door and walked through to the healing room. I walked away feeling calm and decompressed. I loved the healing vibrations throughout my body and have never experienced anything like it. I HIGHLY recommend you book a group session with Ruth.” Susan V.
Who is Sound Therapy Right for?
Who can benefit from sound therapy? It's been found that sound and music can be effective for a range of mental, emotional, and even physical ailments and has been a valuable treatment for several conditions such as:
Anxiety and stress
PTSD
Autism spectrum disorders
People with learning difficulties
Sleep disorders
Aches and pains
Fibromyalgia
Also, sound therapy can induce a dreamlike, altered state, very similar to a deep trance or meditation. In this state, if the client wishes, they may gain a deeper awareness of their inner landscape, a sense of presence, and the self-perceptions that are not serving their highest good.
Who Should Avoid Sound Healing?
While sound healing holds promise as a therapeutic modality, certain individuals may be better served by exploring alternative approaches to wellness. Those who fall into the following categories should exercise caution or avoid sound healing altogether:
Individuals with severe mental health disorders or psychological vulnerabilities.
Individuals with sensory sensitivities or auditory disorders.
Individuals with a history of seizure disorders or epilepsy.
Pregnant individuals, particularly during the first trimester, due to potential risks to fetal development.
Why is it Important to Work With a Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) Licensed Sound Therapist?
The goal of the VSA Licensed Vibrational Sound Therapist Board is to bring legitimacy to the community and encourage state and federal governments to offer this in the future.
By choosing a VSA Licensed Vibrational Sound Therapist, you can be confident in the knowledge your practitioner has completed the VST certification program, has a commitment to continuing education, has current liability insurance, and has passed a thorough background check.
What Can I Expect from my First In-Person Session at Your Warren County, NJ Sound Studio?
Prior to a Session:
Please wear comfortable clothing and come well-hydrated. Prior to the session, you will be asked to remove bulky jewelry and your shoes. The sessions may run a little over time, as first we will have a short intake discussion, and then a little time at the end before you leave.
During the 1:1 Vibrational Sound Therapy session:
The session is done with you lying comfortably on a massage table fully clothed. I will place the therapeutic singing bowls directly on your body, or, if more appropriate, near the body. Most clients start to relax as soon as the session begins. The rhythmic striking of the bowls, combined with the vibrations bathing your body ease you into a profoundly relaxed state. Muscles will lose tension, and you may even start to slip into the alpha brain wave pattern - you may daydream or fall asleep. Book a Pay What You Can Session Here.
During the Couples Sound Bath session:
During the session, you will be sitting in comfortable zero-gravity chairs, wrapped in a soft blanket. You and your partner, family or friends will drift off to the celestial frequencies of the crystal singing bowls, chimes, Planetary Gong and voice. You will ease into a profound state of relaxation - tension will melt away - you may lucid dream or fall asleep. Book a session here.
“I originally set this up for my wife but she wanted both of us to do it and it ended up being a magical experience. Ruth was kind and walked us through the session with a lot of love and caring and I can’t recommend it enough.” Amit P.
After the session:
You may feel lighter in your body and being - more relaxed, but focused. Drink plenty of water to help eliminate any toxins that may have been released. You may feel energized or may want to take a nap - listen to your body. Please note that the healing will continue to integrate over a few days after the therapy.
“How do I describe one of the most phenomenal experiences ever? I had a Vibrational Sound Therapy session, and honestly, some of my experiences are still hard to put into words. My Spirit, Mind, and Body drank in the vibrations, tones, and voice of this incredible session! Truly, you have to experience this healing modality to appreciate my testimony.” -Yvonne D
What Instruments Are Used During a Sound Therapy Session?
Tibetan (Himalayan) Singing Bowls: Originally used by Tibetan monks for spiritual ceremonies, these metal bowls are believed to propel the mind into a deeper meditative state, and can be placed on or nearby your body. These bowls are designed to produce an ambient sound which is heard rather than felt.
Zen Singing Bowls: These bowls are therapeutically designed to vibrate down into your body, producing an effect like an inner vibrational massage. Their vibrations are both felt and heard. These are mostly used in the 1:1 in-person sessions.
Crystal Singing Bowls: Usually made of pure silica quartz crystal, these bowls produce a sine wave, which envelops the listener in very pure tones. They are typically used in group sound baths. Different sizes project different frequencies, which are said to correspond to the seven chakras.
Gongs: Large brass or bronze instruments with a big sound. Clients have said they actually feel the sound waves reverberating through their bodies, which can help clear mental chatter and alleviate pain.
Drums: Used for thousands of years, the rhythm helps focus attention and triggers the relaxation response.
Chimes: These celestial instruments are used as a complement to the above instruments.
Tuning Forks: Invented as a way to tune instruments, tuning forks come in different sizes with different pitches. They can be used around and on the body to unblock stagnant energy.
Rainsticks: These percussion instruments are traditionally made from hollowed-out cactus branches filled with small pebbles or beans. When shaken, they simulate the therapeutic sound of falling rain.
What Does Science Say About Sound Therapy?
More and more compelling research supports sound therapy for the relief of both physical and psychological pain.
Neuroscientists have found that the more we can access a resting brain state, the more it can help us achieve heart-brain coherence. This is an optimal state associated with increased cognition, emotional stability, and resilience. I always tell my clients that sound therapy is like a nervous system reset — like bringing your body/mind back to its factory settings!
A recent study found that singing bowl therapy reduced stress, anger, depression, and fatigue. Other studies have shown that sound therapy helps people with the pain of arthritis, muscle strain, and postoperative pain.
Another research published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine discovered that a session, one hour long, of sound meditation (in which singing bowls were used 95% of the time), helped people reduce not only their stress or tension.
One study by researchers from the University of California found that meditation aided by Tibetan bowls noticeably decreased stress and anger—especially among people who were new to this kind of practice.
Another study, focusing on patients with fibromyalgia, noted that low-frequency sound stimulation significantly increased the number of times participants could both sit and stand without pain.
Even though science has not thoroughly studied the benefits of sound therapy, there is a wealth of experiential evidence that indicates definitive positive physical, mental, and emotional effects on the human body.
