Best Rehabs with Sound Therapy

What Is Sound Therapy And How Does It Work?

Sound therapy is an ancient, powerful form of therapy that has been used for years as a tool for healing. Sanskrit mantras (often recited in Hindi or Sanskrit), Indian ragas, Tibetan singing bowls and Native American drumming are a few examples of how sound has been used throughout ancient history to promote wellbeing. Although each of those examples is different, each has the same intention: to guide you from a place of imbalance to harmonious balance. Sound healing is defined as a combination of healing sounds, music, instruments and sonic vibrations that can provide a therapeutic, positive form of therapy that has the power to help balance and heal your body, mind, soul and spirit.

Sound therapy works by enabling shifts in your brainwaves. Using rhythm and frequency, your brainwaves can activate your body’s natural relaxation, a response you experience when you are not in fight-or-flight mode. Sound therapy can even help your body go from a state of normal consciousness to a state of relaxed consciousness to a meditative state and sometimes even to a state of sleep, resulting in lasting calming effects.

Sound therapy can be either a passive or active form of therapy. For example, you can benefit from sound therapy by sitting down/ lying down and slowing your breath. Passive sound therapy can help you by producing a sense of deep relaxation, reducing stress and altering your consciousness.  Active sound therapy involves actively participating in sound creation by playing instruments, chanting or singing. Both passive and active forms of sound therapy bring about the same benefits for the nervous system. Some individuals might enjoy passive sound therapy's contemplative, receptive state, while others might enjoy the active, joyful participation of creating sound.

What Are The Benefits of Sound Therapy?

In today’s modern world, getting a break from life's responsibilities and the stress that inevitably accompanies everyday living can be difficult. Sound healing can be an easy and practical way to receive benefits like:

• Stress Relief
• Deep Rest
• Improvement of Sleep Quality
• Positive Mood
• Pain Management
• Enhanced Connection to Body and Self
• Sense of Belonging and Community
• Increased Presence and Mindfulness
• Clears Energy Blockages

Whether your concern is physical, mental or emotional, sound therapy can have the potential to bring a sense of well-being and calm as your nervous system relaxes from the healing power of sound.

What Types of Sound Therapy Exist?

Sound therapy can take place in a variety of settings and is becoming an essential part of many individuals’ wellness regimens. Some of the most popular ways to experience sound therapy are:

• Sound Baths - Attending a sound bath is a great way to experience the benefits of sound healing, but with a group. Similar to a yoga class, you and others gather in a room, lie down and relax while experiencing the healing sounds of singing bowls, gongs, chimes and more.
• Private Sound Therapy - If you are not keen on sound therapy in a group setting, you can book an individual sound therapy session with a practitioner so you can have a more intimate and private experience.
• Music Therapy - The beautiful thing about sound therapy is that it can be accessible to anyone with any budget. By humming or singing, you will feel the benefits of nervous system relaxation within minutes. You can also listen to music to passively benefit from sound healing as well.
• Binaural Beats - Binaural beats are two different sound frequencies in each ear, which creates a perceived third frequency in the brain. When you listen to binaural beats, your brain tries to sync up with the frequency of the beat it’s hearing, which produces a relaxed or focused state. This experience can be done at home and is best when using headphones to get a full experience.

Risks of Sound Therapy

While sound therapy undoubtedly benefits the mind, body and spirit, the risks are under-researched. However, some people report experiencing discomfort during a sound healing session. Often, these negative reactions and emotions are due to the emotional pain that can surface during a session, but they are not harmful.

We all have different preferences regarding the taste and style of music we consume, so everyone’s experience will be unique. It’s important to remember that the power of sound can affect everybody in different ways.

Sound Therapy in Mental Health And Addiction Treatment

Individuals from many different cultures have used sound therapy for various healing purposes for years. Over the years, sound healing, known for its positive impact on mindset, has made its way into the rehab industry. There is even evidence to show beneficial outcomes in patient behavior after experiencing sound therapy as one part of a larger treatment plan.

Sound therapy can be a great holistic treatment option for mental health and addiction disorders. When patients enter a meditative state, they can better face their emotional trauma head-on. While it’s not a replacement for other necessary forms of therapy, it can support your overall well-being. Sound therapy can be beneficial for both mental health and addiction recovery by:

• Relieving Stress and Reducing Cravings - Sound therapy can serve as a healthy coping mechanism for triggers or cravings while you are recovering.
• Enhancing Mood - Sound therapy sessions help elicit positive emotions, which can help provide you a more positive outlook on life.
• Aiding in Mindfulness and Meditation - Sound therapy can help enhance self-awareness and emotional regulation as you turn inward and find peace in the present moment.
• Releasing Emotion - Sound therapy can help you process and release stored emotions that were previously difficult to access.
• Improving Sleep - Specific frequencies, like binaural beats, are designed to help you achieve better sleep.

It is important to remember that sound healing should be part of a larger treatment plan and not be the only treatment method used in your recovery journey. Reach out to your chosen rehab center and find out if they can incorporate sound therapy into your treatment plan.