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Business & Tech

Sound Therapy Takes Traditional Massage to Next Level

Philadelphia Private Gym has a new vibroacoustic lounge for sound therapy.

Though Philadelphia Private Gym's new sound therapy equipment looks as simple as a padded cot with a blanket and a CD player, it is much more complex than that. The vibroacoustic lounge features a zero gravity bed that vibrates in sync with music to relieve stress.

Massage therapist Brian Mitchell said the gym's new lounge will offer a place for clients to "come and unwind."

"You put a mask over your eyes, music plays throughout the mattress and induces relaxation," he explained.

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The process, known as the NexNeuro system, vibrates music throughout the body and provides cellular stimulation that helps reduce stress and relaxes the mind and body, Mitchell explained. 

Picture how lights in a laser light show dance along to a song. During sound therapy, vibrations in the mattress move along to the beats of relaxing sounds (like the ocean's tide, chirping birds or chimes), binaural beats (two tones at slightly different frequencies) and music.

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After 30 minutes, the "Relaxation Response" is achieved. This response, according to the NexNeuro website, is known to decrease muscle tension, lower heart rate and blood pressure, calm the body and deepen breathing patterns.

In addition to offering sound therapy and traditional massage at the Philadelphia Private Gym, Mitchell is also trying to bring a smaller scale version of sound therapy and reflexology in to the workplace.

He has a folding chair that resembles a lawn chair, headphones that play the same relaxing sounds, binaural beats and music as in the therapy lounge, and light-blocking glasses. These items, along with a device that gives off percussive waves, are portable and can be brought on site to businesses.

People who work at computers or sit at desks all day build up tension, Mitchell explained. And this portable percussive reflexology can help reduce stress for an employee in as little as 15 minutes. Workers would sit in the chair, fully clothed, and receive a foot massage with the percussive device that would help to relieve stress.

"This is focusing on getting people to relax," Mitchell said.

That's Mitchell's goal. Whether a client wants a traditional massage, to unwind in the sound therapy room or relieve stress while at work, Mitchell hopes to ensure relaxation.

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