How VIbroacoustic Therapy may help in CBT and PTSD treatments

avigail berg-panitz
2 days ago
2 min read

a woman lies on a vibroacoustic therapy sofa in a psychotherapy session

In our fast-paced world, finding a "reset button" for the nervous system is more than a luxury—it’s a clinical necessity. At Vibro-Therapy, we utilize the original principles of Vibroacoustic Therapy (VAT) to help you transition from a state of chronic stress to one of deep, embodied healing.

What is Vibroacoustic Therapy (VAT)?

Pioneered by Norwegian educator Olav Skille in the 1970s, VAT is a unique treatment that uses low-frequency sine waves (30-120 Hz). Unlike music therapy, which you listen to, VAT is a tactile experience. These pure vibrations are delivered through specialized furniture, like beds or chairs, allowing the sound to resonate directly through your body’s tissues.

The Deep Research: How it Works

The effectiveness of VAT is grounded in several core physiological and neurological principles:

Mechanotransduction: This is the process where your body converts mechanical vibrations into biological responses. These vibrations stimulate mechanoreceptors that influence muscle tone and your autonomic nervous system.
Autonomic Balance: Research indicates that VAT can increase parasympathetic activity—the "rest-and-digest" state—helping to lower heart rate variability (HRV) and reduce acute stress.
Brainwave States: While research is ongoing, VAT is often used to facilitate Alpha (calm focus) and Theta (deep relaxation) brainwave patterns, which are associated with meditative states.

Case Study & Integration: VAT + Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

One of the most exciting applications of VAT is its role as a "bottom-up" regulator for mental health. By calming the body first, we can make "top-down" cognitive work more effective.

Our Integrated Protocol:

Regulation (20-30 min): You begin with a pure VAT session to reduce "limbic hyperarousal" and lower cognitive defenses.
The Transition Window: In the minutes following a session, the brain is in a state of increased suggestibility and lower defensiveness.
Cognitive Restructuring: This is the perfect time for CBT interventions, such as reframing automatic thoughts or practicing habit replacement, because the nervous system is already in a state of safety.

Why This Matters for Habit Change

If you are struggling with "overthinking," "perfectionism," or "burnout," your brain may be stuck in a loop of high arousal. VAT supports habit change not by suppression, but by reinforcement. By pairing new, positive behaviors with a calm physiological state, we help your body "remember" how to stay regulated in the face of old triggers.