Sound Bath, Music Therapy and Sonic Vibration-- What's the Difference?

Sound Healing is a concept that is being talked about more and more and means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. So what is it? And how does all of this sound healing look in real life? To shed light on the topic, I wrote a quick description of the three most common types of sound healing I come across personally-- sound bath, music therapy and sonic vibration therapy. 

A Sound Bath usually refers to a super relaxing musical performance slash meditation session that makes you feel amazing inside and out. You will often lie on a mat with your eyes closed as extremely mesmerizing music is performed. Tibetan singing bowls, gongs and chimes are the instruments of choice. (It's like a meditative, lullabye-serenade for your body, mind and spirit. A sound bath definitely takes the class menu at your neighborhood yoga studio to the next level).

Music Therapy employs a variety of activities such as listening to melodies, playing an instrument, singing and/or writing songs. Renegade health professionals sometimes recommend it for elderly patients suffering from Alzheimer's or the like, and also for individuals struggling to overcome mental illness, hardship or addiction. It's like the straight-edge, rehab equivalent of getting the band back together, finally taking those guitar lessons, or blasting your favorite song over and over and over again. (I imagine scientists and medical professionals dissecting rock'n'roll in a science lab and deciding to prescribe it as a pill. The centuries-old secret that dancers, musicians and music-infused cultures have guarded is out.)

Sonic Vibration Therapy (also known as Acutonics, Human Biofield Tuning, Biosonics or Vibration Healing) is basically like punk rock acupuncture with no needles. A trained practitioner applies vibrating tuning forks to key points on and around the body flooding it with sound frequencies. The blood, bones, vital organs, brain waves, energy field, and chakras are recalibrated and the body's major systems are reset. It's like a tune-up for the human body. This type of therapy is sought out by individuals seeking natural and alternative ways to treat certain mental, emotional or physical health concerns. You know when you hear the right song at the right moment and everything is magically better? Imagine you could put that song in a syringe and inject it directly into your veins-- that's what sonic vibration therapy feels like. 

​