|
How
Sound As Therapy Works
Sound is created through vibration. Vibrations infiltrate our
senses... even our bodies. Sound vibrations are powerful and each of us react to
them differently.
While a soul-stirring ballad may make you feel pensive or romantic, rock music
may help you feel ready to dance and have a good time.
For your neighbor, that same ballad may put them in a sour mood, and that same
rock song might leave someone else restless and uneasy.
No matter what our differences, it is true that sound affects everyone in some
manner. Even deaf people can feel sound vibrations. They can touch an instrument
while it is being played, or even feel the vibrations through the floor. These
vibrations, with their varying frequency, density and speed affect you.
Sound therapy uses sound vibrations to soothe and heal people. It can also be
used to help you attain deeper levels of consciousness.
An example of how sound vibrations can help you achieve a deep level of
meditation is a mantra. Mantras can be used as a form of sound therapy.
Sound may be used as therapy merely by listening to soothing tones and relaxing
music. Sound vibrations can be applied to sore muscles. Sound therapy can even
be nature sounds or words spoken in a certain way.
Sound therapy is all around us, if you look. It can be delivered by CDs, DVDs,
cassette tapes or other equipment that produces the desired sounds.
Simple and effective, sound therapy doesn't take a lot of effort. You sit back
or lie down and relax. You can even listen while you physically do some other
activity.
Many indigenous peoples have used sound in healing rituals for generations. In
1896 the first formal description of sound as therapy was written when a few
American doctors discovered that certain music affected a patient's thoughts and
increased their circulation. Ever since then, studies have been done that
repeatedly show how sound can affect a person's physical and mental health.
It is common today to hear music playing in the background at hospitals,
corporations and even schools. Sure, it could just be background noise, but the
music may help patients heal faster, it may make workers more productive, or it
may help students remain alert and eager to learn. And what about that music we
all hear when we're on hold? Maybe they're telling us they really don't want our
business, since a lot of that music seems to be irritating to our senses,
putting our teeth on edge.
Advocates of sound therapy believe that besides helping eliminate stress, it can
aid people suffering from anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, pain and
tension. Sound can create a sense of well-being, it can re-energize you, and can
help you sleep if you suffer from insomnia. Sound therapy can create positive
reactions, which in turn influences the rest of the body.
How Sound Therapy Works
During sound therapy, the sound is kept at a low volume at a continuous rate.
Perhaps you've chosen the sound of a waterfall or ocean waves. Headphones may
help exclude outside noises.
Sound therapists suggest that adults listen to sound therapy at least three
hours each day. Children can see results listening for 30 to 60 minutes per day.
With some forms of sound therapy, you can listen while you do other things.
Somewhere within a few days to a few months, you'll begin to see results from
this practice. When your program is complete, keep it handy in case your stress
returns.
For example, if you are a person with a stressful job, it may be suggested to
use sound therapy for at least an hour every day after getting home from work.
You can develop your own sound therapy at home, or you can get more formalized
treatment from a trained therapist familiar with sound therapy.
Formal sound therapy uses sound to balance your system. The sound affects the
frequency of your body and gets it back into balance. Think of tuning a
guitar... when out of tune, they sound unpleasant... when properly tuned, they
can make beautiful music.
Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of My-Personal-Growth.com, a site
that provides information and articles for self improvement and personal growth
and development. http://www.my-personal-growth.com
[ Home ] [ Up ]
|
Publishing & Consulting