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Each instrument creates its own atmosphere. Christine invites you to say which sounds feel restful and which do not, so the session suits your preferences.

Some people adore the deep, rolling wash of a gong. Others find it overwhelming and much prefer the single clear note of a bowl, or the gentle melody a handpan can produce. Neither reaction is wrong. In the sound sessions run by Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, your taste in sound is useful information rather than something to push past.

How the instruments differ

• Gong: a broad, layered sound that builds and fades slowly.
• Singing bowl: a focused tone that lingers and softens.
• Handpan: melodic, rhythmic notes that some describe as playful.

Christine offers these sessions at the Lane Cove clinic as a relaxation and wellbeing experience. The instruments shape the atmosphere of the hour; they are not presented as a way to produce a particular health result.

Telling Christine what you enjoy

Before you lie down, it helps to mention whether you like long sustained tones, quieter sounds or plenty of silence between notes. You do not need a medical reason for a preference. "I find the gong too much" is a perfectly good thing to say, and Christine will adjust.

Shaping a comfortable session

Comfort covers more than the choice of instrument. You might ask for:

• a lower volume or more distance from the instruments;
• a chair instead of a mat, or extra cushions;
• an agreed signal to pause at any point.

There is no correct emotional response to sound. You may feel calm, sleepy, restless or simply curious, and you are free to shift position rather than hold perfectly still.

Keeping expectations clear

A sound session can be a pleasant pause in a busy week. It is not a substitute for medical care, and Christine will be straightforward about that if a health concern comes up. If something in your health needs attention, your GP remains the right first contact.

If you are curious which instrument you might prefer, Christine is glad to play a few short examples at the start of your Lane Cove visit, so you can choose by ear before the session begins.