What is Acoustitherapy?
Acoustitherapy is the use of sound, music and musical interventions in order to restore, maintain, and improve emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual health. According to Darren Curtis Skanson, founder of
www.acoustitherapy.com:
"We believe that music and sound is functional and can help people improve their environments, bodies, minds, and spirits in every facet of their lives. The belief that sound and music can alter moods has been with us from the dawn of history. However, their ability to change states of mind, body, and spirit are only now becoming documented throughout the world."
Skanson continues: "In our ears, the auditory nerve connects the inner ear with all the muscles in the body. This is called the 'vibroacoustic memory.' Since sound and music is actually physical vibrations in space, we can directly control the vibratory feel of our emotions with our choice of sounds and music. Pleasant sounds lead to a relaxed and pleased physical state. It is true - nothing like good vibrations! And music and sound affects body temperature and respiration. They can raise body temperature (musical energy dissipates as heat) and lead to slower and deeper breathing that aids in emotional renewal."
Skanson says the American Music Therapy Association has listed 8 ways sound and music can be used in life.
- To serve as an audio analgesic or sedative - or to otherwise positively affect biomedical or psychosocial states
- To serve as the focus of attention and/or to structure exercise
- To initiate and enhance relationships
- To reinforce learning
- To provide auditory stimulation/feedback or mask ambient noise
- To structure pleasurable and positive interpersonal interactions
- To serve as reinforcement or structure for healthful changes in physiological, emotional, or lifestyle skills
- To promote stress reduction/mind-body health
For more information about the benefits of acoustitherapy and a list of CDs to promote wellness, visit
www.acoustitherapy.com.
