About Sound Therapy

Sound Soothes the Soul;

We sleep, work, play and live by rhythm. Our circadian rhythm is the 24-hour cycle of our body’s rhythm and internal clock, and is essential for our bodies functions, routine, sleep cycle and our mental health. Our heartbeat, respiratory system, circadian cycles, speech and menstrual cycles are rhythmic. Our movement is rhythmic; we walk, move and dance to a beat. The sun, moon and waves follow a cycle and so does the life of every creature on this earth including humans.

Music and sound healing has been around for centuries, within every ancient culture integrating sound for healing, connection, celebration, and ceremonies. Neuromusicology; also known as ‘Cognitive Neuroscience of Music,’ is the study of the effect and impacts of music on the brain's connectivity and plasticity. According to Arias (2014), of the Department of Neurology. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela states; “The field of neuromusicology is currently developing at an uncommon rate thanks to such functional neuroimaging techniques as positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), plus neurophysiological techniques including evoked potentials and magnetoencephalography (MEG)” (Arias, 2014).

Today music therapies are used in the  treatment of  autism, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Music is known to alleviate the impacts of; stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain. 

Music and sound frequencies impact us at a biological level—activating the growth of neural pathways within the limbic system. The limbic system is involved in learning and memory. Calming the limbic region of the brain regulates emotional responsivity and the nervous system, lowers cortisol levels and releases oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine—positively impacting one's mood, emotional and mental state and inducing a sense of peace, calm and joy. Music and sound frequencies precipitates the integration of the body-mind-heart-spirit connection and overall sense of wellbeing.

Studies reveal the adult brain has the capacity for continual modification this is known as neuroplasticity and music helps stimulate the growth of new neural pathways. According to Marko Ahtisaari (2015) “Music increases blood flow to the brain, improved changes in neurotransmitters and encourages brain plasticity, the brain's ability to change, grow and create neural-pathways.” (Ahtisaari, 2015).  

Sound Therapy includes aspects of listening to or creating sound instrumentally or vocally, through meditative sounds, frequencies, instruments, vocals or chants, sound immersions, sound baths or tuning forks. Soundwaves are converted to neurotransmitters in the inner ear that can be processed by the brain stimulating communication throughout the body. Calming the nervous system and improving emotional regulation, social development, cognitive and motor functioning, and mental health and wellbeing. As humans we are multi-faceted and require multidimensional treatments to help move us towards healing.