The benefits of sound therapy
A look into the power of sound therapy and what it could do for you.
Music can touch us emotionally, but great potential benefits have caught the attention of medical practitioners. In fact, meditation and healing have been linked with sound for centuries.1 So, how does this practice work, and could it be right for you?
What is sound therapy?
Sound therapy uses resonance — the projection of external sounds — onto a damaged area of the body.2 This is thought to help damaged tissue return to healthy function.2 While researchers are still learning how sound heals, many studies have shown that it can help improve health and well-being.
Types of sound therapy
One popular option is music therapy. Music therapy isn’t just for the musically inclined — anyone can participate. It could include composing, playing an instrument, singing or simply listening to music. Music therapy has holistic, positive effects, which may include:3
- Lower blood pressure
- Managed pain
- Increased motivation and self-reflection
- Improved memory
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- An overall happier mood
- Masked tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
Another form of sound therapy is the sound bath — a practice that goes back centuries. A sound bath describes being surrounded by deep sound vibrations.4 It is believed that specific vibrations or frequencies connect to energy centers in the body.4 Sound baths may provide benefits such as relaxation, pain relief and stress relief.4
How to get started
The word “therapy” might bring to mind a psychologist’s office (and people do benefit from guided sessions), but you can benefit from sound therapy at home, too. Sleep apps on your phone — many of which are free — use sound and music to help you meditate or get better sleep. Whether you visit a sound therapist or practice from home, being in the presence of sound may help create a positive change within you.
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