What happens when you combine sound therapy with a massage? L360’s Katie Sipp-Hurley tries out a London wellness club’s newest treatment.
As someone whose stress and anxiety often manifests physically — back pain, muscle tightness, headaches — I’m always on the lookout for practical ways to help. Research suggests that massages can be an effective in helping reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, because of their ability to lower cortisol levels and release serotonin (the body’s ‘happy’ chemical).
With somatic therapy (body-focused therapy) growing in popularity, we’re seeing more massage options that blend traditional techniques with elements of other wellness practices.
Curious to experience one of these hybrids for myself, I headed to Bingham Riverhouse, a luxury hotel overlooking the Thames in Richmond, to try out wellness club bhuti’s new ‘sound healing massage’.
Wait, what’s sound healing again?
Rooted in Ancient Greece, Egypt, India and Indigenous cultures in Australia, sound therapy uses instruments like chimes, bowls, gongs — and even didgeridoos — to create vibrations that promote relaxation and emotional wellbeing.
Practitioners believe these vibrations help the body shift into a relaxed state by reducing stress, releasing endorphins, lowering blood pressure and easing anxiety.
What’s a sound healing massage then?
Combining these into a sound healing massage just means that sound therapy instruments will be used during the massage — ideally to add to the healing, relaxing effects of the treatment.
To create bhuti’s version of the treatment, founder Sama Trinder worked with a team of holistic therapists and energy workers, including aromatherapist and bodyworker Kay Saber and the club’s resident sound healer Anne Malone.
The goal, Sama says, is to help guests “move out of the stress response and immediately drop into the parasympathetic response — a deeply relaxed state.”
Preparing for the treatment
Read more: What is a lymphatic drainage massage and does it actually work?
After enjoying a surprisingly strong ‘energising cacao drink’ in Bingham Riverhouse’s sun-filled reception room, my massage therapist, Bex, led me to a cosy waiting area with floor-to-ceiling windows and shaggy, pod chairs.
We discussed my areas of concern — chronic tension and pain in my neck, back and shoulders, probably from sitting at a desk all day — and Bex assured me she would tailor the treatment accordingly.
She then presented three aromatherapy oils created by Kay Saber: ‘I Am Still’, ‘I Am Love’ and ‘I Am Joy’ and asked me to choose which one “spoke to me” most, as that one would be used in both the diffuser and as the massage oil. I chose ‘I Am Joy’, which was a warm, woody scent that Bex said is meant to be grounding, ease stress and promote emotional balance.
The sound healing massage
Calming music filled the treatment room. I lay face down on the bed and Bex began the treatment by gently ringing two brass bowls, one by my head, the other near my feet. She then held a third bowl above me and rang it before placing it directly on my back and ringing again.
I was surprised by how the vibrations moved through my body, but it reminded me of what bhuti’s sound healer, Anne, had said: “The body is made of approximately 70% water. When sound waves interact with water, they create ripples.”
Read more: Sound therapy: the latest wellness trend loved by celebs
The massage wasn’t intense or overly muscle-focused — Bex had said the intention was to create an experience. Complemented by the scent of ‘I am Joy’, it was multisensory in a way I found soothing. For someone with a busy mind, the sound gave me something else to focus on, helping quiet my thoughts.
Midway through, now lying on my back, Bex placed a lightly weighted cloth over my eyes: my shoulders dropped, and my breathing slowed and deepened. She then placed a bowl on my stomach and rang it again — this time I felt tingles and goosebumps in my arms and legs.
To close, Bex recited a short, guided meditation over the sound bath which, though I’d usually feel awkward about and struggle to settle into, was welcome.
The result
Back in the waiting area, Bex brewed me a custom herbal tea to complement my chosen oil. Created by Bingham Riverhouse chef Vanessa Marx, the ‘I Am Joy’ tea contains lemon balm (to soothe and uplift) and ginger (to energise), among other herbs. This, I felt, added a thoughtful sense of continuity to the whole experience.
Before I left, Bex gave feedback on my tension areas (neck, shoulders and chest — which surprised me), shared possible causes (mostly all desk-related) and a few simple stretches that could help.
Read more: 5 best affordable spas in London under £150 for 2025
I emerged from bhuti after the hour-long massage feeling noticeably more at ease and a bit sleepy, but also energised. Adding sound healing had made it feel like an immersive experience and left me feeling calm and anxiety-free.
But these effects can only last so long. To really help stress and anxiety in the long term I’d imagine you’d need regular treatments, alongside a robust mental health routine.
Still, it’s a relaxing one-off and a pleasant way to escape the hustle and bustle of a busy week.
Feature image: Freepik
