Sound Therapy
Definition
Sound therapy or healing uses rhythmic drumming, chanting and/or recorded music to produce mental or psychological and emotional responses that promote a higher level of self-healing. Like music therapy, sound healing can be used to help the body resist against stress-related health conditions. Our health or mood can be strongly affected by music, toning, chanting and singing. We know that certain sounds stimulate the relaxation response (Benson 1983) because of a scientific phenomenon called “entrainment.”
Entrainment is an involuntary response of your nervous system. When we hear music or a rhythm for a period of time our heart spontaneously changes to correspond to that rhythm. If slow calming music or “New Age” music is used that does not have a specific melody or expected rhythmic pattern, our heart rate slows–brain waves shift in frequency, muscles relax and our circulation works more effectively. These reactions are the exact opposite of those that cause stress. Bill Gottleib – 2002
According to Sound Therapy International, the following benefits of sound therapy may be achieved:
“Der Mensch hört nicht nur mit den Ohren, sondern mit jeder Pore seines Körpers”. – Inayat Khan