Drum Therapy.....Turner E.

Drum Therapy And You: HOW DRUM THERAPY AFFECTS YOUR BRAIN TURNER E.

People claim that, after a period of drumming, they feel calmed and relaxed. This in itself is great, but can drumming, or playing percussion instruments, affect physical disabilities as well as improve people’s state of mind? Many music therapists, physicians, and psychologists say “yes.” es

How Did It Begin?

rhythm

to

promote

healing

and

self-

expression.” He goes on to state that current research confirms that rhythmic music originating

Long before it had a name like “therapeutic music”

thousands of years ago in Asia and Africa can

or “drum therapy,” the use of simple drums and

have a huge impact on people’s health to-

other percussion type instruments were part of dai-

day.

ly life as well as ceremonies. Drum therapy draws

physical healing, boosts the immune system,

its roots from shamanic rituals in nomadic tribes

produces feelings of well-being, and a release of

from the Tuva in Russia to the Minianka in West

trauma.”

Africa. Emily Saarman documented the findings of

particularly drum therapy, can help many differ-

a symposium on rhythmic music held at Stanford

ent kinds of physical and mental problems, includ-

University.

ing Alzheimer's disease, autism, Parkinson’s dis-

She noted that “ritual drumming is

Drake writes that drumming “accelerates

Other researchers claim that music,

found in cultures throughout the world...to induce

ease,

trance states.” Ancient people may have believed

Parkinson’s disease, and trauma-related disorders.

that drumming would drive out evil spirits that

Topper Headon, drummer for the punk rock band

caused bad things such as fires, droughts, head-

The

aches, sores, death, sickness and other maladies

and

and accidents. Michael Drake, author of The Sha-

while its origins are ancient, drumming continues

manic Drum: A Guide to Sacred Drumming, writes

to serve many valuable purposes for people today

that drum therapy is “an ancient approach that us-

well beyond music.

and

Clash,

t ra u m a - r e l a t e d

calls

drumming

d i s o rd e r s .

a

“primeval

distinctly, universally human activity.”

So

What is It? Drum therapy generally consists of instructing people to use different drums and other percussion instruments to create strong vibrations in a rhythmic pattern. Someone participating in this type of therapy does not necessarily follow written “music” in the traditional sense. No one is playing arranged songs to follow lyrics or accompany other instruments. It is just a free-flowing playing of percussion that changes to suit the mood at the time. In this way, a person has the freedom to play loudly, softly, fast or slow depending on what they are feeling. Rhythm, of course, is essential but the tempo is determined by the needs of the individual. For example, Emily Saarman also noted that “slow beats encourage slow brain waves associated with hypnotic or meditative states. Faster beats may encourage more alert and concentrated thinking.” Practicing drum therapy can be done several different ways.

Drum Circles are groups of individuals who practice rhythmic beating of drums an d other p ercussi on i n str uments. Typically there is an instructor or leader but each person is free to express themselves through the use of their instrument. While drum circles are great for treating groups of people, there are opportunities for individuals to use this type of therapy either alone or under the guidance of a trained music therapist. No matter whether a person uses

percussion instruments individually or in a group, the idea is to let the vibrations and rhythms of the drums stimulate the brain so the body and mind can heal the physical and mental traumas affecting that person.

What Does It Do? Drums And Disabilities, or DAD, is an organization that is devoted to helping people find their drum groove. According to their trademarked techniques, they combine “visual, rhythmic, auditory and verbal approaches to help mainstream and special needs participants meet the goals and objectives for improvement and fine motor skill and physical and cognitive functioning while playing an instrument.

Rick Bausman, the founder of the Drum Workshop based in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, believes that playing music (as opposed to simply listening) can help people because the combination of the physical use of hands and arms, combined with the impact of the rhythm regulates the brain and therefore improves movement and body function.

university. He and his team of researchers have found that music not only reduces stress but can actually affect patient’s immune systems. Stress, whether the result of physical or mental trauma, has significant impact on a person’s health. “We know that stress takes a toll

Drumming can improve people's health by lowering stress levels and blood pressure levels while increasing the amount of cancer killing blood cells that also help fight off other illnesses. In an article published by the American Psychological Association, Dr. Daniel Levitin, Ph.D., discussed the impact of music in medical treatment at McGill

Who Can it Help?

It seems that drum therapy has very widereaching benefits. Neurologist Barry Bittman found that group drumming increases the body’s production of cancer killing T-cells and can change the genomic stress marker. He says drumming “tunes our biology, orchestrates our immunity, and enables healing…” Psychologist Shari Geller worked with Bittman in his cancer research then discovered drumming can aid trauma patients deal with the mental anguish and aid in communication skills. Her further study found drum therapy to be very helpful in treating depression and anxiety disorders. Robert Friedman, a psychotherapist and author of the book The Healing Power of the Drum, conducted similar studies to connect drums with mental disorders. He studied soldiers suffering

from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) who participated in drum therapy and noted an “increased sense of openness togetherness, belonging, sharing closeness, connectedness and intimacy, as well as achieving a non-intimidating access to traumatic memories, facilitating an outlet for rage and regaining a sense of selfcontrol.” While PTSD was the first study, the therapy also helped people suffering from grief and anger issues. Friedman also explored the positive impact of drum therapy on Alzheimer’s patients and children with autism. He believes the external stimuli helps maintain attention and focus. He also noted that Parkinson’s patients were able to walk better and suffer less tremors while just listening to drum beats. Drum therapy can also be used to treat people with addictions and eating disorders by replacing the destructive behavior with a positive outlet for expressing the physical or mental pain that led to the addiction.

BIBLIOGRAPHY "Aesop Rock – Coffee." Genius. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.

Clip Art Sheep. N.p., n.d. Web. "The Nueroscience of Drumming." N.p., n.d. Web. "What Is Shamanic Drumming?" Shamanic Drumming. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.