Sound Healing

Sound healing is a vibrational therapy that uses sound frequencies to promote the healing process. Although sound has been used for healing for thousands of years, the world of vibrational healing is expanding.   As we learn more about the human body, the relationship between sound and wellness continues to evolve. Scientific studies have now shown that sound can produce a change in the autonomic, immune, endocrine and neuro-peptide systems of the human body.

Healing with sound is based on the premise that all matter vibrates. When something vibrates, it is making some kind of sound. We may not perceive the sound, as it may be below or above the threshold of our hearing. The human ear can hear sound vibrations between 20 and 20,000 cycles per second (Hz). Although we may not hear it, it still exists and can be measured. All matter, including the physical body, has its own inherent, energetic vibrational field or resonance. When that field is disrupted, disease can occur. Every atom, molecule, cell, gland and organ of the human body absorbs and emits vibrational energy. With the use of external sound mechanisms used by sound therapists, the body can entrain to harmonious frequencies and return to a balanced state.

Science has proven that sound waves, or vibration, have a strong impact on matter. Ultrasound technology, which is commonly used in the medical field, is based on the simple sound wave. It is used in the treatment of kidney and gallbladder stones; breaking down blood clots; stimulating muscles to increase cell metabolism; and relaxing muscles to bring about pain relief. The development and use of the bone growth stimulator to accelerate the healing of stress fractures has shed much light on what can be accomplished within our bodies through the use of sound waves.

The study of brain waves has been conducted for quite some time. Our brains emit electromagnetic frequencies that can be measured. The range of these frequencies is around .5 Hz to 20 Hz. The higher the cycles per second, or Hz, the more alert state we are in. These are the ranges:

  • Beta Waves (14-20 Hz) occur when we are in our normal waking state and conducting our daily activities.
  • Alpha Waves (8-13 Hz) are present in the daydreaming state and are also associated with a meditative state.
  • Theta Waves (4-7 Hz) occur during sleep and in a state of deep meditation. They are also found during times of high creativity.
  • Delta Waves (.5-3 Hz) occur in deep sleep or unconsciousness.

Music therapy has been around for a very long time, and studies have shown that the use of music and sound can bring about the alpha and theta states of consciousness.

Benefits of sound healing include:

–      Deep state of relaxation

–      Reduced pain and stress

–      Increased creativity

–      Improved mental clarity

–      Increase in energy levels

–      Promotion of deep sleep

Sound Healing Tools Used In My Energy Sessions

Although there are many techniques, instruments and technologies that are used in sound healing, the most simple and direct way is with our own voice through singing, toning and chanting. Quantum Touch® employs the practice of toning to amplify the effects of the basic techniques taught.

As mentioned previously, there are many instruments that are used in sound healing. Those that I employ include singing bowls (Tibetan and Quartz crystal bowls), tuning forks and most recently, Quartz Crystal Singing Pyramids. These are my personal favorites. When these instruments are struck or sounded, it not only vibrates the instrument, but it also vibrates the surrounding air space with the same frequency of vibration. This sends the vibration as an impulse through the air. The basis behind healing with these is that our body responds by entraining to the frequency produced by the bowl or fork, bringing it back into balance.

Singing bowls are ideal for use in meditation as well as toning. Their continuous tones allow for beautiful harmonization with the voice. In using the bowls, we can experience more than the “sound” perceived by our sense of hearing. Many individuals say that they experience actual vibrations throughout the body, most often described as a “tingling” sensation.

In measuring wave patterns produced by singing bowls, it was found that there are measurable wave patterns that are equivalent to the alpha waves produced by the brain.

Tibetan Singing Bowls 

The Tibetan singing bowls have long been used in meditative practices.   They do produce a fundamental tone but can also include a rich variety of overtones as well. The traditional bowls are hand hammered and are made of seven metals: lead, tin, iron, copper, gold, silver and mercury. The frequency and tonal quality of each bowl is determined by the composition of the alloys, the age of the metal, and the shape, thickness and size of the bowl. The bowl can be “rimmed” with either a wooden or leather mallet, or they can be struck with a wooden or felt mallet. The sound is distinctively different depending on the choice of the mallet. Many factors determine the note of the bowl.

What I love most of the Tibetan bowls is how you can almost hear monks chanting when they are “rimmed”. It’s an amazing experience.

Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls

The history of Quartz Crystal singing bowls is not tied to any meditative or spiritual practice as are the Tibetan bowls. Interestingly enough, they are a by-product of the computer industry. In the 1980s, the bowls were used to hold computer chips that needed to be heated to extreme temperatures. Rejected bowls were broken, re-powdered, and re-used to form another bowl. Gradually, as sound therapists became aware of the vibrational qualities of the bowls, they began to buy the “seconds” as tools. They are made of pulverized quartz, which is placed in a centrifugal mold and heated to 4000 degrees.

These bowls produce a single, pure tone and are sold by the diameter of the bowl and the note they produce. The diameter of the bowl does not necessarily determine its note. There are other factors, including the height and thickness of the walls.  Keep in mind that the larger bowls tend to produce lower octaves and reverberate longer.

To play the quartz bowls, you can use either a rubber ball mallet or a leather or suede covered striker. Rim as you would with the Tibetan bowls.

Tuning Forks

Tuning fork therapy is yet another method or modality used in sound healing. They, too, emit vibrations when struck, which reverberate and fill the surrounding air space with their frequency.

Tuning forks have specific pitches or frequencies, and each frequency has a specific target area. This area of sound healing has expanded tremendously over the years, as single forks have evolved into “sets” designed for specific purposes. Some of the “sets” I use are Chakra, Angelic, Human Organ Set, and Solfeggio.

I began using tuning forks in response to some individuals having a difficult time grasping the concept of hands-on energy healing.   I realized that it was easier for them to relate to something tangible, and it “made more sense” to them.  From my experiences, I have seen amazing results with the use of the tuning forks.

Quartz Crystal Singing Pyramids

The latest addition to my Sound Healing Tools – Quartz Crystal Singing Pyramids.  The tones emitted when struck are incredible and is such a high frequency it can be felt sweeping the body. The singing pyramids have long resonating tones.  Each one has its own unique combination of multiple notes.  The larger the pyramid the lower the octave.  I use a 5″, 6″, 7″ and 11″ in my sound work.  The Crystal Pyramid filmed in this YouTube video is the 11″.  Enjoy!