Music can have a tremendous impact on our mood and emotions. But were you aware that it can also be healing to the mind and the body? Music is nothing more than a collection of sounds put together in a specific manner. And each sound creates a vibrations that can affect us neurologically, physiologically and even biochemically.
Sound healing is an ancient wellness practice used for healing, relaxation and self-care. Sound vibrations have a pretty powerful effect on our minds and bodies. And research shows us that sound healing can slow down our brain waves and put our bodies in a very relaxed, dreamlike state. Our ancestors used sound and vibrations to honor the gods, summon rain, bless the harvests and also heal the body. Now, with the use of technology, we are able to harness specific vibrations, study them and understand how they actually work on the body.
Research dating back to the 1960’s has linked sound therapy to good health. Sound can have a positive impact on our health in several ways. One of the most well-known benefits of sound is its ability to calm and relax our mind and body. Calming sounds, such as the music meditations in various meditation apps, have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate and promote sleep.
In addition to its calming effects, sound can also be used to improve our mood and enhance our cognitive abilities. Certain types of music, for example, have been shown to increase dopamine levels in the brain, which can improve mood and motivation. Other types of sound, such as white noise or pink noise, have been shown to improve cognitive performance by increasing focus and concentration.
Vibroacoustic therapy (VAT) is an offshoot of sound therapy and music therapy. VAT is a noninvasive form of therapy that uses sound vibrations to promote relaxation, alleviate pain and enhance overall well-being. The therapy involves using specialized equipment that delivers low-frequency vibrations to the body, which can penetrate deep into the tissues and organs.
VAT uses sound to produce vibrations that are applied directly to the body. During the vibrational healing process, a client lies on the specially designed mat or bed that is embedded with speakers or transducers which transmit sound into vibrations that travel through the body in a soothing, healing motion that we liken to an “internal massage”.
VAT is based on the principle that all life is vibration. Matter, including the human body, vibrates all the time, at various frequencies. Sound and music also vary in frequency. Therefore, when the various frequencies of sounds are converted to vibration, which is introduced to the human body, it can be utilized to bring the body into a state of healthy resonance, aka vibrational healing.
Because our bodies are composed mainly of water – approximately 70% for an older person and about 90% for a newborn baby – all of this water is set into motion when the body is exposed to these vibrations. As this water is moved by the vibration, its molecules are reacting and communicating with each other. As this communication occurs, harmony and a healthy resonance are restored in the body.
VAT can be beneficial for many health conditions and for all ages. Here are just a few areas where VAT can be helpful:
1. Pain Management – One study showed a 63% reduction of perceived pain in patients due to the relaxation effects of the vibrations. Patients undergoing chemotherapy have also experienced 61% reductions of pain. In another study, rheumatoid arthritis patients who listened to music and experienced vibrational therapy had a 64% reduction in pain, while patients receiving only music had a 24% reduction in pain.
Research has also been conducted which produced pain relief for 25 patients in a hospice setting. Patients who received VAT, used significantly less medication over a 48 hour period, experienced less discomfort and reported lower pain intensity than did those in the control group.
2. Relaxation – VAT has been consistently praised for helping with relaxation and the resultant anxiety that frequently accompanies stress. In one study, VAT reduced symptoms of pain, tension, fatigue, nausea, headache and depression, that were all attributed to stress, by a whopping 54%. Nurses at the Jupiter Medical Center in Florida, reported that their chemotherapy patients were less anxious during their treatments when it was accompanied by VAT. Vibroacoustic therapy helps decrease stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and reducing muscle tension throughout the body.
3. Physical Therapy / Rehabilitation – VAT has a long history of experimentation in physical therapy. Treatment benefits include reduction of stiffness in the muscles, increased range of motion, reduction of muscle spasticity and sensory stimulation for patients with severe disabilities.
4. Surgery – Cardiac surgeons are starting to use VAT too. In a recent study using VAT, patients’ use of sedative and pain medication decreased and the average time spent on a ventilator time was reduced from 17 hours to 7 hours. It was also noted that time spent in the cardiac surgical unit decreased from averages of 36 hours to 18 hours and overall hospital stays were reduced from 9 days to only 5 days.
5. Developmental and Behavioral Disorders – Patients suffering from issues like ADHD and autism have also shown promise in studies using VAT. The individuals being studied exhibited behaviors that were sometimes destructive, aggressive and self-injurious and after VAT, these behaviors significantly reduced.
A 2020 review noted that vibroacoustic therapy can significantly alter brain waves, changing agitated wave patterns to exceptionally calm wave forms. As our brain waves slow down, we shift from an active state to a more relaxed, dreamlike state. In this state, our breathing, heart rate and blood pressure decrease, which helps our immune system function more efficiently, reduces our stress hormones and triggers the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain
VAT sounds aren’t melodious like music, so you might be disappointed if you’re expecting a harmonious symphony. However, the sounds are pretty powerful and using the new setup, you will literally feel and hear the tones.
While VAT often creates a deep sense of relaxation, it can sometimes get pretty intense. You might find yourself feeling happy, angry, sad or upset about the thoughts or memories that come up for you. It’s also totally fine to cry during the session. The same can happen during an acupuncture treatment or a massage. This is because our bodies frequently hold onto emotions and the vibrations, acupuncture needles and muscle manipulations can all help to release those buried emotions. In fact, it can be quite cathartic.
Now that you are more familiar with VAT, consider coming in for a session or adding it to your acupuncture treatment. We are doing a soft launch until April 18th, with an introductory rate of $30 for a 30 minute session. After April 18th, the price for the sessions will be $40 and there will be no additional charge for adding it to an acupuncture treatment. As the sessions require the use of a treatment room, they will have to be scheduled in advance, which can be done online through our scheduling system or you can always call / text to set up an appointment.
I hope everyone will take advantage of this amazing new therapy that is being offered. Plus, with our newly extended hours on Tuesdays, you have a few more chances to get in for a session. And as always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.