Sue Falber VHT Practitioner

30/05/2025

Invisible But Powerful: How Sound Helps Us Heal from the Inside Out

By Jim Donovan, M.Ed.

In 2019, I nearly died.

After a sudden bout of septic shock, I was given a 20% chance of survival. I spent weeks in the ICU, underwent multiple surgeries, and lost my ability to speak above a whisper. Recovery was long, and for a while, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get my voice—or my energy—back.

But what ultimately helped me return to health wasn’t just medical care. It was vibration.

I mean that literally.

As a lifelong musician, I already knew the therapeutic potential of sound. But through my recovery, I learned just how powerful it could be—when used intentionally—to help the body rebalance, rewire, and restore itself from the inside out.

This isn’t just personal. It’s physiological. And today, I want to share with you one of the most overlooked healing pathways that every one of us carries inside our own body: the vagus nerve.

The Vagus Nerve: Your Body’s Built-in Recovery System

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in your body. It winds from your brainstem down through your face, throat, heart, lungs, and into nearly every organ in your torso. It's part of your parasympathetic nervous system—the one responsible for rest, digestion, and repair (Breit et al., 2018).

When this nerve is activated properly, it signals to your body that you are safe. That’s when healing can begin.

But many people today live in a near-constant state of stress, which inhibits vagal tone—the strength and responsiveness of this nerve. Poor vagal tone is associated with anxiety, chronic inflammation, cardiovascular issues, and even depression (Garland et al., 2021).

Here’s where sound comes in.

How Sound Stimulates the Vagus Nerve

Research shows that vocal activities like humming, chanting, or toning can stimulate the vagus nerve through the muscles at the back of the throat and vocal cords (Porges, 2017). These practices help to slow the breath, deepen exhalation, and promote parasympathetic activity.

One of the simplest examples is humming with the lips closed and tongue pressed gently to the roof of the mouth. This directs vibrational energy into the face and skull, which are rich in vagal nerve pathways. People often report a calming, buzzing sensation and a noticeable shift in their mental and physical state after just a few repetitions.

In fact, when participants in my workshops practice just 60–90 seconds of intentional sound, many experience visible softening in their facial tension, deeper breathing, and even clearer vision.

It’s a powerful reminder: Sound is more than something we hear. It’s something we feel—and something we can use.

Sound + Intention = Self-Regulation

When I first began teaching sound-based healing, I thought the voice was simply a tool for expression. But I’ve since learned it’s also a tool for regulation.

Intentional vocalization triggers the release of feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, and nitric oxide, all of which support stress relief and emotional balance (Zaminy et al., 2022). More importantly, these practices are free, accessible, and already built into every human body.

You don’t need to be a singer to use them. You just need to be willing to make a sound.

One Sound, Repeated Regularly

The best results come from consistency. In my daily life, I use these practices while walking, before bed, and when I feel tension rising. Even one sound, practiced regularly, can shift your baseline.

Sound healing isn’t magic. It’s nervous system hygiene.

You already carry the tools inside of you. My invitation? Use them.

References

Breit, S., Kupferberg, A., Rogler, G., & Hasler, G. (2018). Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain–gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 44. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044

Garland, E. L., Thomas, E. A., & Beck, A. C. (2021). Mind–body interventions and the vagus nerve: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15, 630229. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.630229

Porges, S. W. (2017). Vagal pathways: Portals to compassion. In E. M. Seppälä, E. Simon-Thomas, S. L. Brown, M. C. Worline, C. D. Cameron, & J. R. Doty (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Compassion Science (pp. 189–202). Oxford University Press.

Zaminy, A., Heshmati, M., & Shariat, A. (2022). The neurochemical and psychological effects of vocal exercises: A review of mechanisms behind sound-based interventions. Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, 21(3), 85. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2103085

06/05/2025

Interesting news ..

Scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University have just made a new discovery that could change how we fight Lyme disease.

They found a weak spot in the bacteria that causes Lyme, a tiny but powerful enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (BbLDH). This enzyme helps the bacteria grow and survive in the body. Without it, the bacteria struggles to spread.

Why is this so big news? Because this enzyme could now be targeted. If we block it, we could stop Lyme disease in its tracks.

This breakthrough, published in the journal mBio, is a big step forward in the fight against a disease that affects thousands every year.

To read the full article click the link! https://asm.org/press-releases/2025/march/researchers-discover-achilles-heel-of-lyme-disease

10/03/2025

£158 per session !!!! This is unbelievable ! And apparently BUPA only pay their referral practitioners £30 !
I charge just £45 a session plus mileage and work on the body holistically - which means that I work on the compensations as often the issue you think is the problem comes from using the incorrect muscles for the job as the ones you should be moving have switched off due to tension or strain.
If you are interested in starting Spring with a 'new you' but are unable to start exercising due to pain in your hip/ back or shoulders then feel free to message me for more info or to book an appointment.

Find out about Bupa UK’s private musculoskeletal services, including physiotherapy, osteopathy and other treatments to support your muscles, bones and joints.

27/02/2025

Addressing the fascial adhesions with VHT and you can look to release the restrictions in the hip joint. I have successfully used VHT with clients before and after hip replacement surgery and have also used it in clients who have then gone on to avoid having surgery and are much freer and pain free in their movement.
Fascia is not just on one plane like your skin covering it is a 3D web that covers and connects the superficial, deep and subserous layers with intertwining sheaths. It needs to be released from restriction and adhesion in order that the fibres can move freely VHT with its unique 3 part vibrational move allows such a release in the fibres to take place.

Tensor Fasciae Latae and Gluteus Maximus Muscles: Do They Contribute to Hip Abduction?

Analysis by Physio Meets Science

“👉 The classic hip abductors include the gluteus medius (Gmed) and minimus (Gmin) muscles. They are innervated by the superior gluteal nerve (SGN). These muscle groups are highly important to function of the hip joint and are relevant for a stable stance and locomotion (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19136181/, .hhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30182152/ hhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21212373/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21212373/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16255022/).

👉 Thus, good abductor strength is essential for locomotion without walking aids (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15001980/). Furthermore, abductor function is crucial for more demanding movements such as fast walking, walking uphill, running, squatting, and climbing stairs (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12127184/).

👉 The tensor fasciae latae (TFL) and the gluteus maximus (Gmax), innervated by the superior and inferior gluteal nerves (SGN/IGN), respectively, are located in immediate anatomical proximity. They are discussed to partially compensate for the function of the classic hip abductors. Nevertheless, the main function of the Gmax is extension and external rotation of the hip and the main function of the TFL is flexion of the hip and stretching of the fascia latae with stabilizing effect on the knee (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22109658/).

📘 In a brand-new study, Hoch and colleagues (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39733244/) intend to investigate the amount of abduction force generated by the TFL, the gluteus medius and minimus, and the Gmax. This knowledge may help to understand the compensatory mechanisms that occur when the hip abductors are insufficient. Specific training of these potentially compensating muscle groups can, therefore, be a decisive component in the treatment of patients with hip abductor insufficiency, for example, in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with neurological diseases, regarding preparation (prehab) for patients undergoing hip surgery or in the case of already established irreversible weakness.

👫 Participants:

➡️ Ten healthy adults (5 males, 5 females) aged 22–29 years participated.

➡️ Exclusion criteria were a history of the lower extremity, hip, or lower back pain, resp. surgery, neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.

💡 Experimental Setup:

➡️ Sequential nerve blocks were applied to weaken the TFL, Gmed/min, and Gmax muscles selectively.

➡️ Abduction forces were measured in the lateral decubitus position under three hip positions: 30° flexion, neutral, and 30° extension.

🦵 Muscle Weakness Induction:

➡️ Nerve blocks were confirmed via electromyography to ensure selective muscle paralysis.

📊 Data Collection:

➡️ Maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) were tested using a dynamometer.
➡️ Statistical significance was determined using one-way repeated measures ANOVA.

📈 Results:

✅ General Observations:

▶︎ Hip abduction force was highest when all muscles were intact and significantly reduced following muscle-specific nerve blocks.

✅ Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL):

▶︎ TFL contributed to abduction force primarily in 30° flexion, reducing it by 15% after paralysis.
▶︎ Its role in neutral and extended positions was negligible (-6,2 -12%).

✅ Gluteus Medius and Minimus (Gmed/min):

▶︎ Gmed/min were the primary contributors to abduction, accounting for over 60% (61,5%-63,3%) of force across all positions.

▶︎ Paralysis resulted in a two-thirds reduction in abduction force, rendering some participants unable to complete tasks in certain positions.

✅ Gluteus Maximus (Gmax):

▶︎ Gmax contributed significantly to abduction, with force reductions ranging from 43% to 56% across positions after paralysis.

▶︎ It was especially relevant during hip flexion.

🔑 Conclusion

✅ TFL: TFL has a minor role in hip abduction, mainly during flexion. Its primary function remains hip flexion and stabilization.

✅ Gmed/min: These muscles are the dominant abductors and crucial for hip stability and locomotion.

✅ Gmax: Previously underestimated, Gmax emerged as a significant contributor to abduction, particularly in flexed positions. Strengthening Gmax may help compensate for hip abductor insufficiency.

⭕ Limitations:

▶︎ The study measured abduction in specific, static positions, limiting real-life applicability.

▶︎ Compensatory mechanisms for chronic muscle weakness were not evaluated due to the acute nature of nerve blocks.

▶︎ No differentiation between different parts of the specific muscles.”

- Physio Meets Science

📸 Illustration: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-00897-9_2

http://www.secretlifeoffascia.com

06/02/2025

Excellent start to a Thursday morning Part 1 of my FIrst Aid Refresher completed and the practical part 2 to follow next week 👍

27/01/2025

Knees ....far too complicated and pretty much a ridiculous design to do the job they are expected to do.......

The Knee Joint: “The knee joint is a synovial joint that connects three bones; the femur, tibia and patella. It is a complex hinge joint composed of two articulations; the tibiofemoral joint and patellofemoral joint. The tibiofemoral joint is an articulation between the tibia and the femur, while the patellofemoral joint is an articulation between the patella and the femur.

The knee joint is the largest and arguably the most stressed joint in the body. The arrangement of the bones in the joint provides a fulcrum that translates the actions of the flexor and extensor muscles of the knee. The arrangement of the extracapsular and intracapsular and ligaments, as well as extensions of muscles that cross the joint, provide the much needed stability that counters the considerable biomechanical stress brought upon the joint. As a hinged joint, the knee joint mostly allows movement along one axis in terms of flexion and extension of the knee in the sagittal plane. It also allows slight medial rotation during flexion and the last stage of extension of the knee, as well as lateral rotation when “unlocking” the knee.”

- Bradley Blair Osteopath

Image .official

06/01/2025

All the more reason to book in for a VHT session from the comfort of your own home….help ease those aches and pains of winter weariness..

The need to sit by a fire, that's what it is.

01/08/2024

Fed up of aches and pains?
Don't want to wait ages for a Physio appointment?
Got that ni**le in your neck / shoulders or back that stops you doing what you enjoy?
Then why not try VHT (Vibromuscular Harmonisation Technique) Bodywork from the comfort of your own home.
Local sessions available for £45 - weekdays / evenings and weekend appointments available.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
🤚 VHT is a holistic, non-diagnostic discipline, consisting of a series of non-invasive gentle moves over connective soft tissue (fascia) which assists the body to attain the state of homeostasis wherein the body is encouraged to address any problems that it may have
🤚 VHT is a body balancing modality, whereby once a situation for self-address is reached the body may positively look upon any unwanted trauma, structure or disease with a view to correcting it.
🤚VHT is a postural integration modality in that after a session many clients notice the positive change in their posture.
🤚VHT is a myofascial release modality in that the moves are carried out over the fascial meridian chains of the body.
🤚 VHT is also a trigger point release modality in that work is done over specific trigger points releasing the trauma in them although that is not the intent.
🤚 In VHT the practitioner takes a holistic approach by addressing the client without focus on the symptoms. The moves are gentle, and are performed in a prescribed pattern, irrespective of the clients’ complaints. Many report positive results on problems which were not the ones for which they had in fact had a session.
🤚 The VHT unique moves can be performed over loose clothing from the comfort of your own home.
Interested in booking a session then feel free to give me a shout.
I am a fully qualified, fully insured and DBS checked VHT Practitioner with over 10 years experience working with humans.

08/07/2024

Putting anatomy of the human into perspective….

CORONAL ABDOMINAL ANATOMY: Analysis by The Radiologist

“Here we have a coronal slice of an abdominal MRI where we can see the origin of the main renal arteries from the aorta

👨🏽‍💻Superior to the origin of the main renal arteries there are two further branches of the abdominal aorta which we can’t see here
▫️ T12 - the coeliac axis
▫️ L1 - the superior mesenteric artery

👨🏽‍💻The renal arteries arise between L1-2. The left renal artery is shorter given that it has less far to travel from the aorta which is on the left. Variant anatomy is common - up to a third of people can have additional ‘accessory’ renal arteries and as radiologists it’s helpful toinclude the presence of this on our reports before any renal surgery or intervention

👨🏽‍💻We can also the left and right main renal veins. The left renal vein is longer as it has further to travel to the IVC which sits to the right of the aorta. The left renal vein courses anterior to the aorta (we can usually see this on ultrasound) but in some again there is variant anatomy where it passes posterior to the aorta.”

- 🔻

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⁣

26/06/2024

Something every woman in their 40’s needs to know ….

Perimenopause is a sequence of hormonal events and changes that lead to menopause. It’s a bit like puberty - but in reverse.

Before puberty, we have low oestrogen levels in childhood. Then comes the high and fluctuating oestrogen in the teen years (especially in comparison to progesterone).

Remember those teenage hormone fluctuations? Yep, that high and wildly fluctuating oestrogen was probably to blame.

Progesterone, however, remains low until regular cycles become established. Once our cycles have become stable, progesterone slowly increases.

Note that it is progesterone that keeps oestrogen in check. Without progesterone, our oestrogen is all over the place!

Then we have years of fairly stable, regular menstrual cycles. Our reproductive years.

Then comes perimenopause, the opposite of puberty. Progesterone is slowly lost, and as a result, we have high and fluctuating oestrogen again.

Remember that progesterone keeps oestrogen in check, so lack of progesterone causes oestrogen to play havoc.

Hence this time can feel like those teenage years all over again—tears, anger, frustration, and confusion.

But over time, oestrogen is slowly lost too, which leaves stable and low oestrogen levels during menopause (just like in childhood).

Now I need to point out, if you have no idea what is going on with your menstrual cycle then you need to be tracking. Especially in perimenopause. And especially tracking ovulation.

Because if you’re not, then it can be easy to miss the initially subtle changes that take place. It also means that you won’t have any information to take to your GP or therapist (should you need to).

So again, if you’re not, please start menstrual cycle tracking now!

Read more: https://www.sarahkeatesandrews.com/blog/im-too-young-for-this

Image by Lara Briden

31/05/2024

Hurrah I have just done another Thing ! Successfully completed The Vagus Nerve Practitioner Course. My clients will know that I have been including some 'weird and wonderful woo woo stuff' in with my sessions and due to the fact that this woo woo stuff works and they feel lots better they accept it. I have now got even more stuff to share and can provide the scientific backing behind why the woo woo works 👍👍👍🤚🖐😽

12/04/2024

We all lead busy hectic lives and often do not pay attention to those little ni**les that are telling us to slow down until one day it is too late and we have to stop as the little ni**le has turned into a bigger ni**le and we become incapacitated with the pain. Whilst I am speaking above of our physical ni**les the same can be said for the emotional ni**les - often the two are interlinked stress, metal anguish and anxiety can have physical symptoms as well but because we tend to be too much in our heads we tend to ignore the affect that that have on our body again until it is too late.
Take some time out for your self this weekend in the sunshine be it a quiet 10 minutes reading a book, going for a walk and noticing the signs of nature or just sitting quietly in the outdoors. Notice where your tension is in your body can you do anything to ease it - or should you be spending more time in getting those ni**les seen to before they become bigger issues.
I have appointments available for VHT sessions from the comfort of your own home - please get in touch to find out more.