Sound massage

Sounds and music create positive effects that have a healing and calming effect on body, mind and soul. In the Sound massage the positive effect is created by a combination of sounds and vibrations.

What is the sound massage?

Sound massage is one of the sound therapies. These are forms of therapy in which sound waves and tones are used specifically to alleviate symptoms.

Sound massage is one of the sound therapies. These are forms of therapy in which sound waves and tones are used specifically to alleviate symptoms. Various sound instruments can be used for this. A singing bowl massage consists of bowls of different sizes made of different materials with different sound frequencies that are struck with a clapper to create a sound and a vibration.

For a classic singing bowl massage, bowls made of a brass alloy, which are made by hand, are usually used. In addition to singing bowls, wind chimes, cymbals and gongs can also be used for a sound massage. A sound massage combines a pleasant body feeling through beneficial vibrations that affect the body, with sounds that calm the mind and soul.

Function, effect & goals

The principle of sound massage is based on ancient knowledge of the Vedic art of healing from India. Pythagoras also knew about the healing effects of music and used music to combat melancholy even in ancient times. Healing work with sounds has had a high priority in music therapy for many years. Because of its gentle approach, it is very suitable in the educational field, in nursing, in therapy and in medicine.

Headaches, shoulder and neck tension, breathing problems, digestive disorders, circulatory disorders and concentration problems respond particularly well to sound massages. It is a good way of non-verbal communication in educational and therapeutic work with people with disabilities. Tinnitus can also be treated well with a sound massage thanks to the pleasant effect of the tones. The sound massage can also be combined well with various treatment methods. Through its deep impact on different levels, it can make clients aware of the possible causes of their symptoms.

Babies in the womb already react to sounds in their environment. Sound massage works according to this principle. She advocates the thesis that sounds have an impact on consciousness and have a subtle, energetic effect on the body. Targeted sounds and rhythms are intended to stimulate or calm the vegetative nervous system, comparable to a stone that is thrown into the water and forms circles in the water.

In Far Eastern cultures, sounds have always been an accompaniment to healing methods, e.g. B. in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). There are different forms of sound massage:

In a singing bowl massage, bowls of different sizes with different sound frequencies are struck with a clapper to generate sounds and vibrations. The composition of the metals, mostly brass alloys, and the size of the bowl determine the sound. The bowls are mostly made by hand. For a singing bowl massage, the client lies on a lounger, either on their stomach or on their back.

Singing bowls of different sizes are placed on different parts of the body and struck one after the other in a rhythm with the clapper, so that even vibrations with calming tones have an effect on body, mind and soul. The sounds and vibrations are intended to achieve deep relaxation. In the western world the singing bowl massage according to Peter Hess is most common.

In a sound massage, in addition to singing bowls, other sound instruments such as Tibetan bells, cymbals, gongs and wind chimes are used, possibly also the voice. Emotional memories are positively influenced by the vibrations in the body. Even changes in the pulse rate can be detected. A sound massage works through the senses of hearing and feeling. The more sound sources are used, the more intense the effect.

Other forms of sound massage are sound beds and sound cradles. With these forms of sound massage, the client does not lie on a normal massage table, but on a wooden resonance body in which taut strings, usually monochords, are set in vibrations that are transmitted to the body. With a sound cradle, swinging and rocking movements lead to even deeper relaxation, which is used in trauma therapy to resolve blockages in the body's memory. The rhythm of the sound also plays a role, as in shamanic rituals.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for relaxation and nerve strengthening

Risks, side effects & dangers

Even if a sound massage can have very beneficial and far-reaching effects, it cannot replace treatment by a doctor or alternative practitioner. Severe back pain and more severe psychological problems cannot necessarily be cured by sound massage. With psychological problems it can be downright counterproductive to dive into inner worlds of thought. Before a sound massage with such problems, it is always advisable to consult with the attending physician.

Sound massages generally have a positive effect and help with many complaints, provided that the practitioner has the necessary qualifications and experience to be able to treat the complaints. Singing bowl massages are easy to learn and practice, which can be enough for a wellness massage. But with real complaints, such minimal knowledge is not enough. Then it could e.g. B. in trauma to undesirable side effects that do not occur with expert practitioners.