Sound Therapy / Tuning Forks
What is sound healing and how does it work?
Tuning fork therapy uses calibrated metal tuning forks to apply specific vibrations to different parts of the body. This can help release tension and energy, and promote emotional balance. It supposedly works similarly to acupuncture, using sound frequencies for point stimulation instead of needles
Sound Healing: Research-based benefits
Sound therapy may be an unfamiliar idea, but it’s gaining research-based traction. Several studies found that music has anti-inflammatory properties and can strengthen the immune system while lowering stress levels. With less tension and anxiety, the body can maintain healthy cell activity and protect itself from illness.
Research also suggests that group singing and group drumming, which have been in practice since prehistoric times, improve well-being. Spending quality social time together while making music creates a positive atmosphere that can lessen psychological stressors.
Evidence shows that using lullabies as music therapy helps premature infants’ heart rates and breathing and can even improve their feeding behaviors.
There’s also good news for those suffering from tinnitus—that pesky buzzing sound that comes from inside the ear. Tinnitus won’t disappear, but “Tinnitus Retraining Therapy” (TRT) uses sound therapy to teach the brain to ignore the irritating ringing sensation.
Whether you’re hoping to enhance relaxation, get a better night of sleep or manage pain, sound healing can help you find relief. With so many different forms of the practice to choose from, consider trying out a few different types to discover what works best for you.
Much like acupuncture, tuning fork therapy applies pressure to different parts of the body. A specialist will calibrate metal tuning forks with different vibrations, and then place them directly on the individual. The tuning forks emit sound healing frequencies, stimulating the same central points that acupuncture treatments target. The goal of the practice is to reduce pain and release tension, creating a balanced body and mind. If you’re interested in trying this method, find a wellness professional who specializes in this type of sound therapy.
