Understanding Gong Bath Therapy
in Addiction Treatment
In today’s day and age, overwhelming sounds form a part of everyone’s lives. From the unyielding noise of traffic to all the sounds coming from our electronic devices, achieving peace is not an easy feat.
However, many people forget that sounds do not have to be stressful and oppressive. In fact, numerous studies confirm that sound may improve one’s mental and physical state. For instance, music is said to be effective in ameliorating one’s mood and even relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety.
At AddictionRehab, we employ various types of sound therapy, including gong baths. They come with a wide range of benefits that have proven to be essential in the treatment of various dependencies.
What is a Gong Bath?
Due to its misleading name, most people assume that a gong bath features water and relaxing in a deep pool. However, this type of therapy involves sound as its rudimentary element, and water is not at all included.
In reality, these baths are centred around the instrument they are named after — the gong. This musical instrument dates back centuries into the past, when it was employed during various processions and ceremonies. However, what isn’t as commonly known is that gongs were also utilised in healing rituals. Namely, numerous cultures have used this instrument to treat different ailments, as they believed that its reverberating sound had a tremendous effect on one’s wellbeing. By listening to the gong, people were taken on spiritual journeys aiming to achieve physical and spiritual balance.
Similarly to a contact-free massage, a gong bath utilises sounds of varying frequencies to completely immerse patients in the gong’s vibrations. As a result, in addition to reaching the mind through the ears, the sound also travels through the entire body. To that end, patients always lie down on the ground during sessions, letting the sounds envelop them.
While they are a centuries-old practice, gong baths have also been embraced by modern healthcare professionals. Specialists appreciate the method’s ability to inspire peace and relaxation in patients and allow them to access their spiritual side.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
What Happens During Gong Bath Meditation?
Due to the transformative and positive effects they have had on addiction patients, we have employed gong baths as a part of our treatment programmes for several years. We usually schedule gong bath sessions for Fridays, offering patients a moment of relaxation following a week packed with therapy, counselling and various workshops. The sessions generally last an hour, and they are led by one of our gong therapy experts.
Typically, gong baths begin with the participants lying down on the floor in comfortable positions. The therapist then gently strikes the gong, filling the room with its vibrating sound. During the session, the therapist may ask patients to change positions in order to facilitate relaxation. Participants might even fall asleep during the session, as the gong sounds are rather soothing and comforting.
Why are Gong Baths Beneficial to Treatment?
Gong baths can reduce one’s stress levels and inspire relaxation. However, this therapy method comes with a whole host of additional benefits, especially for those struggling with dependencies. These benefits may include:
Relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression
Due to their therapeutic qualities, gong baths can reduce patients’ negative emotions, including anger, depression, and fatigue. The meditation that often accompanies the baths plays an essential role in this regard, as it allows participants to let go of their burdens and allow their minds to wind down.
As such, gong baths can help ensure that, instead of using addictive substances or behaviours, people learn how to grapple with negative emotions in more productive ways. By adopting new coping skills, patients can have healthier responses to stressful situations after they leave our facilities, reducing the possibility of relapses.
Improving sleeping habits
Adjusting to healthy habits, a nourishing diet, and counselling are essential elements of all addiction treatment plans. However, high-quality sleep is a factor that, although just as pivotal, is often overlooked. Gong baths are beneficial in this regard, as they can aid patients in achieving restorative sleep. In fact, many manage to fall asleep only a handful of minutes into the session.
Restoring balance
As a general rule, many addiction patients feel slightly run-down during the initial stages of treatment. Namely, most addictions lead to chemical imbalances in the brain, as dependent behaviours cause the body to absorb, transmit, and produce less dopamine than is usual.
Gong baths can be a helpful tool in restoring balance through the restorative and grounding vibrations of the instrument. As a result, patients may begin to feel more in sync with their bodies after only a couple of sessions.
Improving physical state
While its main benefits are psychological, gong baths indeed interact with one’s whole body. As a result, they can be advantageous to the joints, skin, and bones. In addition, gong baths may help those with stiff and tight muscles by allowing them to release the pent-up tension.
Some additional physical benefits of gong baths include:
- Regulating blood pressure
- Reducing tension
- Steadying one’s heart rate
Bringing You into the Now …
Many addiction patients struggle with living in the present. Instead, they spend copious amounts of time and energy thinking about their past and future, becoming so preoccupied by them that they struggle to focus during treatment. Gong baths can be a great therapeutic tool in that regard, as they can help shift patients’ focus to the present time and help them prioritise their recovery. As a result, they are able to work on becoming a better version of themselves, facilitating a healthier future.
Gong baths can have such a grounding role because they take place in a stress and distraction-free setting. As a result, patients have no other choice but to concentrate on the reverberating sounds, which, in turn, helps them achieve clarity and peace.
How Can I Incorporate Gong Bath Meditation
into my Treatment Plan?
At AddictionRehab, we view addiction treatment as a holistic journey. Therefore, we aim to assess and treat patients on all levels, including addressing their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs. Gong baths exemplify this wonderfully, as they are so all-encompassing that they can suit any patients, regardless of their particular needs. To learn more information about this treatment option and how it may benefit you on your healing journey, simply contact one of our team.
Frequently asked questions
No mandatory preparations are necessary for a gong bath therapy session at one of our centres. With that said, you may want to wear clothes with a comfortable fit, as well as remove jewellery or anything else that might be a distraction. Furthermore, it is wise to hydrate well before your appointment, because doing so will allow the gong’s vibrations to travel through your body more easily. As a result, your session will be more effective, and you will be able to feel its effect more deeply.
After concluding your session, it is advisable to drink plenty of fluids. By doing so, you will help your body eliminate the toxins released during the gong bath in a timely manner. Moreover, you ought to avoid consuming caffeine, as it might disrupt the balance and relaxed state achieved during the session.
Lastly, try to ensure the rest of your day is gentle and relaxing by taking a walk, doing yoga, journaling, or indulging in any other activity that brings you peace. Most importantly, take the time to enjoy and appreciate the sense of serenity that gong bath therapy will envelop you in.
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