Sound therapy: definition, indications, course of sessions, precautions

As its name suggests, sound therapy uses sounds and vibrations from voices, drums, singing bowls, gongs or tuning forks to soothe the mind and body. This ancestral practice is being used more and more regularly in our yoga, relaxation or meditation. We tell you more.

Sound therapy is also known as sound therapy, sound yoga, sound bath or sound massage.

It is based on sonology, in other words, the study of sounds for therapeutic purposes. Concretely, sounds and vibrations are used to provide relaxation and relaxation. Our body is made up of 70-80% water, which acts as a conductor and allows vibrations to travel through our cells. These micro-vibrations propagate to the bones: the lower the sound, the more it has an influence on the lower body and the lower it is, the more it has an influence on the upper body.

This sound therapy uses many instruments:

• Tibetan bowls (also called singing bowls);
• crystal bowls;
• gongs;
• tuning forks;
• the koshis / chimes;
• the drums;
• harmonic songs;
• rain sticks;
• etc

These different mediums allow work on the body as such, on the the nervous systemor on emotions.

Sound therapy works according to a simple principle: the vibrations pass through the body and overcome certain areas of tension. The benefits of this technique are many. She permits :

• of reduce the stress and anxiety in encouraging letting go;
• to release tensions, blockages and physical pain;
• of re-energize the immune systemlymphatic and vital energy ;
• improve cognitive abilities (memory, concentration, creativity, etc.);
• of reconnect with yourself and of release emotional charges (in the event of a difficult situation, such as bereavement, a breakup, etc.).

It can therefore complement and diversify the management of many pathologies such as depression, fibromyalgia, mood disorders, sleep disorders or certain addictions.

Since 2011, in France, the CHU of Saint-Étienne has also been using sound therapy as support and comfort care, in addition to drug treatments in its palliative care department. Other establishments are evaluating its impact in the context of treatment in cardiology or oncology.

Sound therapy is for all audiences : regardless of age, physical, mental or emotional condition. However, the vibratory intensity of the instruments is adapted to each person (it is for example reduced when the beneficiary is a baby or a child). Some precautions are necessary despite everything.

Sound therapy is contraindicated:

• to people carrying a pacemaker (pacemaker);
• to people with epilepsy
• and to pregnant women less than three months or more than eight months.

Sound therapy sessions depend on the medium (gong, tuning fork, Tibetan bowl, crystal flight, Tibetan cymbals, etc.) used and the therapist. They can be collective or individual and last an average of one hour.

Each session generally begins with breathing exercises and a time to discuss the objectives of the session. Patients lie on their backs or stomachs on a futon or massage table. They are surrounded by instruments whose layout depends on the situation and just have to be guided by the therapist. These instruments sound and plunge patients into a state of deep relaxation.

Each end of the session is accompanied by a rest period to give the patients time to come back to themselves.

The price of a sound therapy session varies from one practitioner to another, depending on the instruments used and the cities. A group lesson can range from 15 to 30 euros, while an individual lesson can cost up to 90 euros (not reimbursed by health insurance). The number of sessions depends on the problems and the permeability of each. Some sound baths are also available on platforms like Youtube, SpotifyWhere Apple Podcast.