WHAT IS A SOUND BATH?

Deep sound vibrations made by a soothing instrument may help you decompress.

Broadly, a sound bath is an experience where you’re immersed in deep sound vibrations. “The idea is that these vibrations are at specific tones and frequencies and have the ability to heal your body,” says physician assistant Karen Bond, PA-C.

More precisely, sound baths are rooted in the idea that these particular frequencies correspond to specific energy centers in your body. You might be familiar with this concept if you’ve ever done yoga and heard about balancing your chakras. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is driven by the concept of qi (pronounced “chi”), which translates to the energy or power flowing through your body.

“The idea is that anything that goes wrong with your body corresponds to an imbalance in one of these energy centers,” Bond says. “The sound bath can reset these centers and get your energy moving in the right way. Then the corresponding parts of your body can heal.”

Bond adds that another idea behind sound baths is that not all sound vibrations are created equal. In other words, certain frequencies are said to be beneficial to specific areas of your body. “For example, if you’re coming in with a digestive issue or a stomach problem,” she says, “the therapist should choose a frequency and a tone that is known to correspond to healing in that area.” 

BENEFITS OF SOUND BATHS

Scientists have long studied the health benefits of music. For example, a 2014 systematic review of research studies found that music was a “safe” and “inexpensive” supplemental therapy that helped with pain control.

But there isn’t much research into the science behind sound baths. A 2020 systematic review of four peer-reviewed studies (including one involving people living with metastatic cancer and another with chronic spinal pain) showed possible health benefits after playing or listening to singing bowls. However, the review concluded that more evidence-based research and studies are needed in this area.

Anecdotally, however, Bond says it’s common to feel different after having a sound bath meditation. Things you might experience include:

• Feeling calmer/less stressed.
• Muscles that feel looser.
• A greater sense of relaxation.
• Pain relief.
• The ability to sleep better.
• Improved mood.
• Better body awareness/being more in tune with your body.

A sound bath shouldn’t be considered a replacement for any medical treatments you’re having. Instead, it’s better seen as a complementary or supplementary treatment. “Many things out there aren’t in opposition with any treatments we might be receiving from our doctors,” Bond says. “It’s useful to remember that there are complementary therapies available, like a sound bath, meditation, yoga and tai chi.”

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A SOUND BATH?