Dr.
Steve's "Spinal" Column --
The Benefits of Drumming
by Dr.
Steve Koc, Chiropractic Physician
Susie
wanted me to write about the benefits of drumming so we could justify certain
expenses to the IRS. And speaking of justifying, let me digress for a
moment. With St. Valentine's day approaching, there will probably be news
stories touting the health benefits of eating dark chocolate and drinking red
wine. The media will inform us that these high caloric, empty foods
contain anti-oxidants, the same good stuff that you'd find in fruits, veggies,
and your multi-vitamin. And it's true. But let's get real
here. Whatever good the anti-oxidants do for our system is easily
over-shadowed by the negative effects of the sugar, sulfites, and alcohol that
come along with the package. We might as well rationalize eating a whole
pint of ice cream for all the calcium we would be getting! Hmmmmm? I
wonder if Hagen-Dazs makes a dark chocolate with red wine swirl!
But back to
drumming. What is this drumming thing about? Why am I promoting
it? Is it better for you than chocolate and wine? What about
combining chocolate and drumming? Is that legal in Oregon? Wouldn't
it be messy?
Although there
are no studies to confirm anything I am about to say, it is all true. How
do I know this? Because I wouldn't make it up if it weren't.
Everyone innately knows how to drum! We each spent many months in our
mother's womb listening to her heartbeat, a steady rhythm... lub, dub... lub,
dub... lub, dub. This natural beat is entrained into our nervous system
and can be tapped into once again, no matter how musically challenged or
"uncreative" we may think we are. A lot of adults discover
through drumming that they have numerous creative abilities that have been
hidden away. Children learn to expand their interests. There is no
"right" or "wrong" way to express yourself drumming.
There are guidelines and it is helpful to study techniques, but many people
discover that they already know how to drum once they give themselves permission
to go for it.
I have amassed a
collection of percussion instruments which means you do not have to have your
own drum to come and try it out (Dr. Steve facilitates the
Wednesday
night drum circle in Salem). And in order for these instruments, I
mean therapeutic devices, to be declared as tax write-offs, I give the following
sound scientific reasoning:
-
Drumming is
good for your immune system -- it is a fact that sound waves have a profound
effect on the cells of our bodies. Ultrasound is used for healing scar
tissue and reducing inflammation. Classical music is played for babies
to help brain and nerve development. Our immune systems will produce
more disease fighting cells when exposed to a 3/4-waltz beat. When it
comes to drumming, you can create many different beats and realize an equal
number of effects. One basic drum technique is to mimic a heartbeat
and get lost in the simplicity of it. It can be that easy. It is
my theory that a good drumming session is equal to or better for your health
than a dark chocolate bar and a glass of red wine. Maybe someone
should study combining all three of them into a winning combination for
longevity and good health. Any volunteers?
-
Drumming is
good for your mental health -- ever want to pound on something and
scream? Ever feel anxious or shaky from the adrenaline in your
system? Have you ever experienced stress? If you answered yes to
one or more of the above, then may I suggest that you come to a drumming
circle where you can pound and scream along with 40-50 other crazy people
just like yourself? The release is phenomenal! It's as if you
were packing up your tension and troubles and sending them off with the
sound waves. Creating music with drums is an active form of
meditation. Often in the drum trance state-of-mind questions are
answered, problems are solved, and clarity is achieved because the thinking
(left) brain is put on hold and we allow our intuitive (right) brain to rule
for a little while.
-
Drumming is
good for your spirit -- expressing yourself in a free-form, non-judgemental,
improvisational environment like a drum circle can allow you to tap into a
very strong spiritual connections. It's primitive. It's
basic. It's part of us.
There you have
it, drumming as a comprehensive holistic therapy for body, mind, and
spirit.
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Dr. Steve
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