Sound healing therapy explained

Explore the Healing Power of Sound:

A Guide to Sound Healing Therapy

What is sound healing therapy?

In our noisy world today, sound healing acts as both a soothing escape and a necessary form of healing. It combines intentions with therapeutic sounds to promote health and balance within the body.

A variety of instruments like Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls, drums, and tuning forks use their vibrations to transport us beyond the physical. These sounds slow down our mental activities, enabling a deep meditative and healing state.

In this guide to sound healing therapy, we explain how it works and how you can benefit from it on your healing journey.

The roots of sound healing

Sound healing, an ancient practice, has been integral to cultures worldwide for thousands of years. From Tibetan singing bowls in the Himalayas to Aboriginal didgeridoos in Australia, sound has served as a potent form of medicine. In various religious traditions, sound is foundational. Much like movement and dance, the use of breath, music, and sounds has been used to induce trance states, helping people move beyond their rational mind.

The sacred “OM” in Hinduism, symbolizing the universe’s primordial vibration, and the biblical voice of God during creation highlight sound’s significance. Ancient cultures used these frequencies to treat physical and psychological ailments. Monks, for instance, observed healing effects through Gregorian chants, where vibrations transmitted to the body facilitated healing.

These practices laid the foundation for the modern sound healing practices we see today.

How does sound healing work?

Every part of our body—organs, bones, muscles, tissues, and even our cells and atoms—vibrates at specific frequencies. Sound healing works by tuning these vibrations, similar to how a musical instrument is tuned, and it’s all grounded in science. Since many illnesses originate from mental and emotional imbalances, sound healing aids in our overall healing process.

Sound healing therapy is based on the principle of ‘sympathetic resonance’ which refers to the idea that the vibrations from sound healing instruments, like singing bowls or tuning forks, can influence the vibrational states of different parts of the body.

The goal is to align these parts to healthier or more natural frequencies, promoting balance and healing. For example, if a part of the body is vibrating out of sync with its natural frequency due to stress or illness, introducing a sound wave at the correct frequency can restore harmonic alignment. This method is used to help reduce stress, induce relaxation, and promote the body’s own healing processes at the cellular level.

Frequency & brain waves in sound healing

Vibrational frequencies refer to the rate at which vibrations or oscillations occur. They are measured in Hertz (Hz), with each organ in our body resonating at a specific frequency when it is healthy. When these frequencies become imbalanced, we experience dis-ease. Sound healing aims to restore these imbalances, bringing the body back to its natural state of harmony.

Rhythm and frequency can significantly influence our brainwaves, a process known as entrainment. This shifts our brain from its normal waking state (beta waves) to more relaxed states such as alpha waves (associated with relaxed consciousness), and even deeper states like theta waves (linked to meditation) and delta waves (associated with deep sleep and internal healing). This is similar to how meditation uses breath control to facilitate shifts in consciousness.

A journey through brain waves

The science behind sound healing therapy

Are sound healing and sound baths scientifically proven? Sound healing therapy is based on the idea that everything in the universe, including our bodies, is always vibrating. According to this approach, illnesses often occur when these natural vibrations are disrupted or blocked. If an organ isn’t vibrating correctly, it can lead to health problems.

Recent scientific studies have begun to shed light on how sound healing contributes to stress reduction, improved sleep, lower anxiety levels, and enhanced mood.

Sound has profound effects that often go beyond what we can audibly perceive; our bodies respond to vibrations even when we cannot consciously hear them. Consider that the human body is made up of 60-70% water. Experiments with water exposed to the frequencies of a singing bowl show visible patterns and movements. Given this, you can imagine the transformative effects these vibrations may have on the body during a sound healing session, where the water within us responds similarly, creating potential for profound internal changes.

What are the benefits of sound healing?

Is sound healing therapy worth it? Sound healing sessions are designed to lead you into a deep state of meditation. By shifting your brainwaves from restless to relaxed patterns, the specific frequencies and intentions behind the sounds can bring about significant healing and relaxation at both energetic and cellular levels. Many people report feeling more grounded, peaceful, and energetically balanced after a session. The potential benefits of sound healing are extensive and can be felt physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Here are some of the advantages you might experience following a sound bath or sound healing session:

Experience profound relaxation
Reduce stress and regulate the nervous system
Improve sleep quality
Increase heart rate variability for better stress resilience
Regulate breathing patterns for enhanced relaxation and focus
Enhance memory and mental clarity
Boost creativity
Strengthen the immune system
Release stuck or stagnant energy in the body
Alleviate pain
Improve symptoms of ADHD, PTSD, or ASD
Boost natural mood-enhancing hormones (serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin)
Shift limiting beliefs
Reduce headaches
Relieve muscle pain and inflammation

What is a Sound Bath?

Why do we use the term “Sound Bath”? The term “sound bath” beautifully captures the essence of what this healing practice offers. Just as a bath in water surrounds and envelops you, immersing every part of your body, a sound bath immerses participants in healing sound waves. These waves are generated by various instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, and tuning forks, which create an all-encompassing sonic environment.

The concept of a “bath” in this context signifies a deep, cleansing experience that is not just heard, but felt throughout the body. This immersive experience is designed to wash over you, allowing the sound to clear mental, emotional, and physical blockages.

This analogy helps convey both the method and the profound impact of the practice on an individual’s well-being.

How do you feel after a sound healing session?

The experience of a sound healing session can vary greatly from person to person, as each body reacts differently to the sounds and vibrations. During the session, you may enter a meditative state, floating between wakefulness and sleep. It’s also common for your mind to become active, perhaps filled with creative ideas or calming thoughts. Physical sensations might occur, and some people even report seeing colours, shapes, or symbols. Others may simply fall asleep.

It’s important to approach each session with openness and curiosity. Remember, just taking the time to lie down and rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour is beneficial in itself. The sounds and instruments are designed to guide your brain waves and nervous system into a restful state, but this doesn’t guarantee that everyone will feel calm and relaxed afterwards. Some might feel energised and rejuvenated, while others may experience a surge of emotions as they process and release blocked energy.

Whatever your experience, sound healing offers a unique pathway to various emotional states, encouraging healing and self-discovery. Whether you feel uplifted, relaxed, or somewhere in between, each session is a journey through your own inner landscape.

My approach as a sound healing therapist

My approach to sound healing is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of the Tibetan system, as practised historically in Nepal. This region is recognised as the primary source of ancient and traditional singing bowls, which are central to the sound healing therapy practices I employ.

A key element of my technique involves the use of the perfect fifth interval, derived from the Pythagorean system. This interval produces an uplifting, smooth, and expansive sound that is particularly powerful for stabilising and harmonising the physical and energy bodies, including the chakras. The effectiveness of this interval is one reason it was favoured by the Tibetans and Nepalis in their singing bowl practices.

I also incorporate pure frequencies into my sessions, specifically the 136.1 Hertz OM frequency, which is known for its profound resonating properties. This frequency is often referred to as the “sound of the universe” and is believed to promote healing and balance.

In addition to sound, energy plays a crucial role in my sessions. I enhance the healing effects of sound by adding specific intentions or prayers, infusing each session with a focused energy that aligns with my clients’ healing journeys.

My practice also integrates principles from the chakra system and subtle body energies from the vedic system, along with meridians and acupressure points from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This holistic approach not only considers sound but also the broader spectrum of energy healing and alignment.

Each session is complemented by guided breathing, relaxation, and meditation techniques. The rhythmic movement of the respiratory system during these practices leads to a deeper state of relaxation, enabling a more profound healing experience.

By adopting an integrative method, my sound healing sessions are designed to provide not just auditory stimulation, but a deep therapeutic impact on the entire being—body, mind, and spirit.

“Sound healing taps into the deep vibrations that compose our very being, offering effective relief and deep relaxation no matter where you are.”

Sound healing and inflammation

Sound healing has long been recognised for its therapeutic effects, particularly in managing stress and enhancing immune function, both of which play significant roles in controlling inflammation. Using instruments like Tibetan bowls and gongs, sound therapy produces vibrations that have a profound calming effect on the body. This calming effect can significantly reduce cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone. Elevated cortisol is associated with increased inflammation, so by reducing these levels, sound healing helps mitigate the body’s inflammatory responses.

Dr. Mitchell Gaynor’s research in the field of integrative oncology supports this, demonstrating how sound therapy not only lowers stress but also boosts the immune system’s efficiency. A well-functioning immune system is essential for balanced inflammation and promoting overall health and recovery.

Discover the synergistic effects of combining sound healing therapy with our anti-inflammatory coaching programs to accelerate your path to optimal health and well-being.

Sound healing instruments I use and how they work

Each of these instruments plays a unique role in my sound healing practice, contributing its special timbre and vibrational quality to create a unique, immersive healing environment.

Tibetan bowls

Crafted from a blend of metals, Tibetan bowls produce rich harmonic overtones that are said to balance the body’s energy centres or chakras. When struck or rubbed, these bowls vibrate to produce deep, resonant tones that promote relaxation and healing.

Crystal bowls

Crystal bowls are the most popular and commonly used instruments in modern sound healing for their ability to create deep, meditative vibrations that promote relaxation and healing. Developed in California in the 1980s, they are crafted from quartz and are renowned for their profound resonance, necessitating careful and intentional use.

Monolina or multi-stringed monochord

This multi-stringed instrument produces layered, continuous tones that envelop the listener. The sound from a monolina can be tailored to resonate with specific vibrational frequencies, aiding in targeted therapeutic effects and enhancing the depth of the meditative state.

Shamanic drum

Used traditionally by shamans in various cultures to enter trance states, these drums are played to set a rhythm that supports deep meditation and journeying. The repetitive beats mimic the natural rhythm of the heart, helping to ground and centre participants as they delve into deeper consciousness.

Ocean drum

Filled with small beads that mimic the sound of waves, ocean drums are used to create a soothing sound that resembles the ocean. This calming noise is excellent for reducing stress and promoting a sense of peace, ideal for relaxation and stress relief sessions.

Water rattle

This instrument is made from dried fruit shells filled that create a crisp, cascading sound when shaken. Nut shakers are particularly effective in sound healing for their gentle, soothing tones, which help cleanse the atmosphere and facilitate a tranquil meditative state.

Tuning forks

Known for their ability to produce precise frequencies, tuning forks are used in sound healing to align the body’s vibrations. They are typically applied near specific energy points to direct energy flow, enhance balance, and support healing from within.

Koshi chimes

Handcrafted in the Pyrenees, my birth region, these chimes produce melodic, ethereal tones when gently struck or swayed. Made from bamboo and metal, each chime resonates with one of the four natural elements. Personally, I love using the Earth chime to bring a sense of grounding, especially beneficial for those struggling with anxiety, stress, or restless thoughts.

Harmony chimes

Crafted from high-quality aluminium tubes, these chimes produce rich, resonant tones that linger in the air, creating an atmosphere of calm and relaxation. Known for their precise tuning, each chime produces harmonious vibrations that can help to soothe the mind, support meditation, and enhance private and group sound baths.

Voice activation and vocal toning in sound healing

The human voice is a potent tool in sound healing, both during guided sessions and in personal practice, whether one-on-one or in groups. Singing, for instance, not only aids in activating the chakras but also brings significant benefits to the cardiovascular system by positively influencing heart rate variability (HRV). This metric indicates how flexibly the heart responds to stress, and improvements in HRV are linked to reduced stress and increased resilience.

Singing, humming, and other vocal expressions are effective ways to engage and activate the chakras. This practice helps to release blocked energy channels, fostering emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. The act of vocalising can stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in calming the nervous system and promoting relaxation.

Incorporating vocal elements such as chanting mantras, humming, or overtone singing into sound baths can deepen the experience, creating a resonant connection that impacts participants at a cellular level. These vocal techniques complement the vibrations of instruments like Tibetan or crystal bowls, enhancing the overall therapeutic effect of the session.

Does sound healing online work?

If you’re curious about whether sound healing can be effective online, you’re not alone. Many wonder how an experience that traditionally relies on the physical presence of sound can translate into a virtual format. Rest assured, online sound healing sessions are meticulously designed to replicate the full spectrum of benefits offered in-person, tailored specifically to meet your unique needs.

The key to a successful online sound healing session lies in the preparation and technology used. With optimal sound quality, a stable internet connection, and quality headphones, the session’s auditory experience can be profoundly impactful. While you might miss the direct physical vibrations, the frequencies delivered during an online session still profoundly influence your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

One of the unique advantages of online sessions is the convenience of participating from your own comfortable, familiar environment. This setting eliminates distractions commonly found in group settings, such as the sounds of others snoring or moving, which can disrupt your focus. It also allows you to not only engage in deep relaxation and meditative calm during the session but also continue resting and processing the experience long after the session has ended. This extended relaxation can further deepen the therapeutic effects, helping to reset your nervous system in the most comfortable setting possible—your own space.

So as you can see, online sound healing not only works; it provides a flexible, accessible, and deeply restorative healing experience.

Sound healing is ideal for…

The Wellness Unlimited sound healing experiences

Private therapy

Tailored one-on-one sessions designed to meet your individual wellness goals

Group sound baths & events

Experience the collective energy of sound healing in group settings, ideal for retreats, community connection and shared healing

Corporate workshops

Custom workshops for businesses in Portugal and the UK, focusing on stress reduction, team bonding, and enhancing workplace wellness

Preparing for a sound bath

To enhance your sound healing experience and ensure you fully absorb the session’s benefits, we recommend preparing with:

If online, headphones for an immersive sound experience
An eye mask to help deepen your focus
A cosy blanket and socks for warmth and comfort
A lit candle nearby, offering a focal point for releasing energies
A glass of water positioned near you, which, absorbing the session's raised frequencies, becomes energetically enriched and especially beneficial to drink afterwards

Sound Healing FAQS

What are Tibetan singing bowls?

A Tibetan bowl, also known as a singing bowl, is a type of bell that originated in the Himalayan region and is traditionally used in Buddhist meditation and ceremonies. Unlike conventional bells, Tibetan bowls rest with the bottom surface on a cushion or flat surface, and they resonate sounds when their rims are struck or rubbed.

These bowls are typically made from an alloy of various metals, commonly seven, including gold, silver, mercury, copper, iron, tin, and lead, each said to correspond to a different celestial body.

Can sound healing help with anxiety and stress?

Yes, many people find sound healing beneficial for reducing anxiety and stress. The sounds produced during a session can calm the mind and reduce the stress response in the body.

Can sound healing help with tinnitus?

While sound healing may not directly cure tinnitus, some individuals with tinnitus find relief through sound therapy. The soothing sounds experienced during a session can help mask or reduce the perception of tinnitus, providing temporary relief and promoting relaxation. However, results can vary, and it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for personalised guidance and treatment options for managing tinnitus.

Can sound healing be beneficial for individuals who are sensitive to noise or experience sensory overload?

Absolutely. Sound healing can offer valuable support for individuals who are sensitive to noise or experience sensory overload. By carefully selecting and controlling the sounds and frequencies used during a session, sound healing therapists can create a calming and soothing environment that promotes relaxation and reduces stress. Many people find that the gentle vibrations and harmonious tones experienced during a sound healing session can help to quiet the mind, alleviate feelings of overwhelm, and restore a sense of balance. Additionally, sound healing techniques such as guided meditation or breathwork can further enhance the therapeutic effects, providing individuals with tools to manage sensory challenges and cultivate a greater sense of calm and resilience in their daily lives.

How can sound healing benefit various health conditions?

Sound healing offers a wide range of potential benefits for various health conditions. For individuals experiencing sleep disorders, chronic pain, depression, PTSD, ADHD, ASD, fibromyalgia, migraines, digestive issues, or high blood pressure, sound healing techniques can provide relief and support. Through the use of soothing vibrations, calming frequencies, and relaxation techniques, sound healing promotes a sense of well-being, reduces stress levels, and supports emotional and physical health. Whether it’s promoting relaxation, alleviating symptoms of pain or discomfort, or enhancing overall quality of life, sound healing can be a valuable complementary approach to wellness for individuals seeking relief from a variety of health challenges.

Are sound baths safe during pregnancy?

Sound baths are generally considered safe during pregnancy, but it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider before participating if you have any doubts. For physical comfort, especially in later stages of pregnancy, lying on the back for extended periods can be uncomfortable, so you may want to use cushions for support or lying on one side for comfort. With these considerations in mind, many pregnant women can safely enjoy the relaxation and stress-relief benefits of sound baths. Each session can be a gentle and nurturing experience, promoting well-being for both mother and baby.

Are there any side effects of sound healing?

Sound healing is generally considered safe for most people. However, those with sound sensitivity or certain mental health conditions should consult with a healthcare provider before participating.

How long does a sound bath last?

Sound baths can vary in length, typically lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on the practitioner and the session’s format.

Do I need any special preparation for a sound healing session?

No special preparation is needed, but wearing comfortable clothing and coming with an open mind can enhance your experience.

Explore the Healing Power of Sound:

What is sound healing therapy?

The roots of sound healing

How does sound healing work?