Re: harmonica therapy

[Guest guest]

I think I am going to go buy a new harmonica, he used to love playing his but it got lost years ago.

I may go get them all one and they can make their own orchestra:-)

hugselizabeth ladutko wrote:

I thought somebody might be interested in this article. I've heard about this before:Nearly 40 adults stood in the lobby of Florida Hospital Celebration Health in Kissimmee, Florida, and played “Silent Night” in unison on harmonicas. They followed the song with their renditions of “Joy to the World” and “Jingle Bells,” while a few grandchildren in the audience chimed in and sang the words.The musical concert was just one accomplishment of this group of men and women, all of whom suffer from lung disease. They are participants in a “Harmonica Therapy” workshop that is one part of Florida Hospital Celebration’s pulmonary rehabilitation program.Of course, when you hear the word “instrument” in a hospital, “harmonica” probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. A harmonica isn’t exactly your typical medical device.

For one thing, it’s fairly simple for anyone to use. Secondly, it’s easy for anyone to purchase one; they don’t have to be ordered in bulk from a medical supply company.In fact, each harmonica was purchased for $3.99 at a local Cracker Barrel restaurant, said Ross, a respiratory therapist at Florida Hospital Celebration.The inspiration for the program came from a woman’s offhanded comment that playing the flute in her Sunday morning church service made her stomach sore.“It occurred to us that breathing like that to play the instrument….would cause them to have fun and do the exercises they’re supposed to do,” said Jeff Fraser, director of pulmonary rehabilitation. So he thought, “Why don’t we incorporate some musical instruments into our program?”Learning to play a harmonica teaches each “student” how to breathe correctly from their diaphragms, Fraser said.“We’re re-instructing them to use the

natural breathing muscles they were born with,” he said.Many patients with emphysema or other lung diseases have diaphragm muscles that have become flattened, rather than the normal dome-shape. The diaphragm is the muscle that constricts to create pressure to allow air to flow into alveoli, or air sacs, in the lungs. If the muscle is flattened, it can’t constrict well, and the patients begin to rely on accessory muscles to help them breathe.“With a lot of lung disease, air gets trapped in the alveoli,” said Fraser, who explained the air trapped inside the air sacs doesn’t allow enough room for the new air coming in. A shortness-of-breath feeling ensues.But a person must exert pressure to produce music from a harmonica, which is very similar to the breathing exercises required in pulmonary rehab.“Exercises are like anything else,” Fraser said. “They’re boring and you tend to not do them.”But playing a

harmonica is fun, and the patients are more likely to practice correct breathing techniques, like exhaling with pursed lips to force the air out, when they enjoy the process. They’re also more likely to remember those breathing techniques in a crisis, Fraser added.Every Thursday morning, the pulmonary rehab patients gather for 15 minutes of harmonica therapy to improve their breathing. Early in the program, a music teacher provided instructions on the basics of playing the instrument, and no music reading was required.Some patients are elderly, like 92-year-old Charlie, while others are in their 30s and 40s but suffer from debilitating lung disease. Most of them continue therapy as long as their health insurance pays for the pulmonary rehabilitation program. It’s a fun part of a more comprehensive program including exercise and education.Harmonica therapy is mostly about learning to breathe correctly while having

fun, rather than becoming a musical maestro, Fraser said._________________________________________________________________FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar – get it now! http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/

[Guest guest]

Very interesting. I have an antique harmonica here, but it would probably be best to buy a new one. When I was in high school, I played a flute and piccolo. As I recall the band director who gave me music lessons said that it takes more wind to play a flute and piccolo than a tuba as one is playing by blowing across the top of the instrument. I may try getting a harmonica as it would not only be enjoyable but also help with breathing.

Thanks for sharing.

Norma

[Guest guest]

I tried this out this afternoon and it really does work the diaphragm.

I forwarded the article to a friend who has a voice problem and has a

hard time being able to do abdominal breathing to be able to speak

properly. I'll have to get a harmonica holder so I can play it along

with my guitar--then I can look just like Bob Dylan. Thanks for the

article. I think that it could really help a lot of us.

Barb

harmonica therapy

I thought somebody might be interested in this article. I've heard

about

this before:

Nearly 40 adults stood in the lobby of Florida Hospital Celebration

Health

in Kissimmee, Florida, and played " Silent Night " in unison on

harmonicas.

They followed the song with their renditions of " Joy to the World " and

" Jingle Bells, " while a few grandchildren in the audience chimed in and

sang

the words.

The musical concert was just one accomplishment of this group of men and

women, all of whom suffer from lung disease. They are participants in a

" Harmonica Therapy " workshop that is one part of Florida Hospital

Celebration's pulmonary rehabilitation program.

Of course, when you hear the word " instrument " in a hospital,

" harmonica "

probably isn't the first thing that springs to mind. A harmonica isn't

exactly your typical medical device. For one thing, it's fairly simple

for

anyone to use. Secondly, it's easy for anyone to purchase one; they

don't

have to be ordered in bulk from a medical supply company.

In fact, each harmonica was purchased for $3.99 at a local Cracker

Barrel

restaurant, said Ross, a respiratory therapist at Florida

Hospital

Celebration.

The inspiration for the program came from a woman's offhanded comment

that

playing the flute in her Sunday morning church service made her stomach

sore.

" It occurred to us that breathing like that to play the

instrument..would

cause them to have fun and do the exercises they're supposed to do, "

said

Jeff Fraser, director of pulmonary rehabilitation. So he thought, " Why

don't

we incorporate some musical instruments into our program? "

Learning to play a harmonica teaches each " student " how to breathe

correctly

from their diaphragms, Fraser said.

" We're re-instructing them to use the natural breathing muscles they

were

born with, " he said.

Many patients with emphysema or other lung diseases have diaphragm

muscles

that have become flattened, rather than the normal dome-shape. The

diaphragm

is the muscle that constricts to create pressure to allow air to flow

into

alveoli, or air sacs, in the lungs. If the muscle is flattened, it can't

constrict well, and the patients begin to rely on accessory muscles to

help

them breathe.

" With a lot of lung disease, air gets trapped in the alveoli, " said

Fraser,

who explained the air trapped inside the air sacs doesn't allow enough

room

for the new air coming in. A shortness-of-breath feeling ensues.

But a person must exert pressure to produce music from a harmonica,

which is

very similar to the breathing exercises required in pulmonary rehab.

" Exercises are like anything else, " Fraser said. " They're boring and you

tend to not do them. "

But playing a harmonica is fun, and the patients are more likely to

practice

correct breathing techniques, like exhaling with pursed lips to force

the

air out, when they enjoy the process. They're also more likely to

remember

those breathing techniques in a crisis, Fraser added.

Every Thursday morning, the pulmonary rehab patients gather for 15

minutes

of harmonica therapy to improve their breathing. Early in the program, a

music teacher provided instructions on the basics of playing the

instrument,

and no music reading was required.

Some patients are elderly, like 92-year-old Charlie, while others are in

their 30s and 40s but suffer from debilitating lung disease. Most of

them

continue therapy as long as their health insurance pays for the

pulmonary

rehabilitation program. It's a fun part of a more comprehensive program

including exercise and education.

Harmonica therapy is mostly about learning to breathe correctly while

having

fun, rather than becoming a musical maestro, Fraser said.

_________________________________________________________________

FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now!

http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/