COPD

Butting in before David gets a chance to respond (a bad habit of mine): The folks in Canada seem to be ahead of us southlanders in this regard. I've been privileged to meet and jam wth Dr. John Schaman, the "Harmonica MD," who has spent a lot of time looking at this. See, e.g., https://www.chch.com/harmonica-helps-improve-lung-function/  See also Florida-based Dr. William Weiss, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKzk4BJjbIE&t=243s

One thing I've discussed with Dr. Schaman, and have wondered about: These serious respiratory issues seem to hit older people. (At 73, I guess I'm probably getting into that category.) People who are also subject to depression, having lost friends and family, often living somewhat isolated from younger people in retirement homes and rest homes, etc. These older folks who take up harmonica as a theraputic practice may not only be experiencing some breathing improvement, but it's possible that getting enthusiastic about playing music also greatly lifts their emotional spirits, giving them a reason to breathe. E.g., the physical and emotional benefits of harmonica music may feed off each other!

Seydel mentions a lot about the lung benefits of their Pulmonica harmonica model. But it's possible that the bottom line is that even if medical benefits can't be proven conclusively, who's to argue with the way music improves people's lives? Especially people whose lives are challenged by chronic lung problems, old age, etc.?

Hi Bob, Rob & Dave - in order of comments, not preferences ;)

As a COPD sufferer, I can tell you that playing the harmonica can bring about a huge improvement in breathing. I was diagnosed around 12 years ago (then aged 45) having been a lifelong smoker. I was put on medication, an inhaler, and told that I would gradually get worse as time went by.

Around 2 years later I lost my medical cover and couldn't afford the drugs, so looked for alternatives. I read that intense cardio and breathing exercises (using a specific breath exerciser) could help increase airflow and partially "unblock" obstructed airflow areas. 

Now aged 57, I go running in the mountain in the morning, pushing my lungs to the limit until they expel the gunge that's blocking them. About six months ago I decided to take the harmonica more seriously (instead of just randomly blowing and sucking chords). It took me a good three months to be able to make it through the Level 1 song, but the first week I couldn't make it through one line without gasping for breath, so I take that as good progress.

In sum, I would recommend the harmonica to anyone with breathing problems - especially if they focus on their breathing patterns from day one, finding how to use the diaphragm and nose properly to make the most of their potential. The more you push it, the better it gets. 

There may be no cure, but it's not true that you have to get worse - I'm ten times better now than when I was diagnosed and playing the blues is increasing my lung capacity day on day. I don't plan on seeing a doctor again anytime soon!

Hope the personal insight helps.

Joel

Joel:

Great to hear that the harp is doing good things for your health.

There are a few apparent truths about aging and health that I've learned over the years (I was born during Harry Truman's Presidency), including that, while one might not ever become Mr. America by starting weightlifting at age 60 or 70, there are a lot of things one can do (or not do) that can make one's health (and life) a lot worse. With your smoking history I'm tempted to joke about the great musician Bill Tapia, who was still performing up until a few months before his death at age 103. In his later years, when asked about the secret of his long life, he replied, "I gave up smoking ... when I turned 88." But one of Tapia's secrets was that up until the end he went for daily long walks. Nike's "Just Do It" should be rephrased as "Just Don't Stop Doing It."

There's also that expression, "To a hammer, everything looks like a nail." Sadly, too many physicians come out of med school seeing everything as a pill, injection, or surgury. (And I'm also old enough to remember when "Four out of five doctors recommend Camel cigarettes.") But fortunately, more and more of them are being taught about how it's never too late to live more healthily, and about the body's own capabilities for healing.

Finally, if you're like me, over the years those runs in the hills will get slower and slower. But as I've told folks re my own regular cycling, "These days I can get in an hour's exercise in fewer and fewer miles!"

You're welcome Joel, I'm happy to be part of your journey.