What is Vibroacoustic Therapy

Vibroacoustic Therapy combines the physical vibrations of relaxing music with the vibrations of specific Pulsed Low Frequency Sine Tones. It was first developed in the 1980’s by the Norwegian teacher, Olav Skille. He explored the use of Vibroacoustic stimulation for severely disabled children with whom he worked, by playing them music through large speakers pressed against a beanbag on which the children were lying. Skille discovered that the physical vibrations of sound could relax and stimulate the children and judging that bass frequencies had a particularly significant therapeutic effect, he combined the music with a pulsed low frequency sine tone.

It is more than just playing music with lots of low sounds that vibrate the specialized table/mat/chair/lounge.

Vibroacoustics may be defined as “the process of hearing sound vibrations through the body.”

This is accomplished through specially constructed chairs, treatment tables, or beds (some

with water) that are equipped with powerful speakers designed to vibrate the body with optimal

psychological and physical impact. Dr. Drew Pierson, a psychologist with electrical engineering

experience, notes that the purpose of vibroacoustics is to create tactile-soma integration.

He says, “The body holds emotional events in cellular memory. The use of vibration from

4.5–1800 Hz (primarily 8–180 Hz) has the effect of disengaging those resonant patterns that

seem to run in loops and fixate themselves in the body. Vibroacoustics change the bio-electrical

signature of the emotional imprint.”

Vibroacoustic music (VAM) resonates the body directly through nerves, skin, and bones.

Based on multiple transducers built into the furniture—located under the back, buttocks, and

legs—the sound is not directed to the ears. In fact, unless you wear headphones, the only

sounds you hear with your ears are the lowest frequencies of the soundtrack. According to

Dr. Pierson, the low sounds travel up from the vagus nerve to the reticular activating system,

touching all internal organs along the way. This is in complete contrast to how sound, heard

through the ear, travels down through the vagus nerve to the anus, attaching to almost all the

internal organs along the way. The vagus nerve is a very important conduit of sound waves

regardless of the direction.

You can learn more about VAT in my book: A Practitioner's Guide to Vibro Acoustic Therapy.