How often do you hear someone say, “I don’t know how to sit still. I just have to be doing something or it feels wrong.” In a world where stress, increased productivity and burnout are the predominant drivers of our society, we often forget how to rest and relax.
At Ikigai Wellness, we use a non-medical vibroacoustic system that uses low frequency sound as vibrations directed to the patient’s body through a system of transducers imbedded in furniture. Vibroacoustic therapy (VAT) delivers natural stimulants in a non-invasive process that exercises the brain and central nervous system with the specific intent of balancing, optimizing and harmonizing the body and brain.
How VAT Works
Every organ, bone and virtually every “cell” in your body vibrates at its own resonant frequency. Together, the individual frequencies make up a composite frequency not unlike that of a symphony orchestra. Since our bodies always naturally seek the most efficient vibration, it takes far less energy to vibrate at the correct frequency than the incorrect one.
During a VAT session, sound waves programmed at very specific frequencies generate an “internal massage” at the cellular level. In this way, organs deep within the body which cannot be reached by traditional methods – nerves, glands, heart, lungs, deep-lying blood vessels, myofascial and brain tissue – are gently stimulated through sound vibrations. This internal massage stimulates infrared energy to emit from our cells, increasing circulation, metabolism and reducing inflammation.
While the experience of VAT is perceived consciously as relaxing, the primary physical effect of VAT is that it adds subtle mechanical stress to our organism. You can compare it to a workout – running, or cycling. Just as we add stress to our body when we are working out, the effect on the body afterward is a feeling of relaxation and well-being.
By stimulating the body (and brain) via sound, we change the production of stress hormones, Beta-Endorphin, ACTH and Cortisol, in a positive way. The stress-hormone peak comes after about 15 minutes. This is one of the reasons it is so good for people who are unable to exercise due to physical limitation, or who are confined to beds or wheelchairs. VAT stimulation makes for a great substitute for the physical movement that creates these hormones. This is also powerful for those who are neurologically challenged – from a stroke, Parkinson’s disease or any number of similar afflictions.
Managing Stress – The Vagus Nerve
Vibroacoustic therapy also stimulates that all-important information super-highway between the brain and the rest of the body… The Vagus Nerve. It is the longest nerve in our body which connects our brain to our heart, lungs and innervates our entire digestive tract.
The Vagus Nerve is responsible for activating our parasympathetic nervous system – commonly known as the rest and digest aspect of our nervous system. When vagal/parasympathetic tone is low, it is not adequately stimulated, your brain and body don’t communicate well, and that can create problems with everything from digestion to sleep to how well we respond to stress. A long-term benefit to consistent use of VAT (as well as other modalities such as acupuncture and craniosacral therapy) which strongly increases our vagal/parasympathetic tone, is that our bodies eventually re-learn how to achieve that level of relaxation on its own.
Curious to try Vibroacoustic Therapy? Reach out to us at hello@ikigaiwellnesspdx.com to schedule a session. We also offer portable VAT rentals!
