The Therapeutic Effects of Drumming

[Skyhaven]

Drum therapy is an ancient approach that uses rhythm to promote healing and self-expression. From the shamans of Tuva to the Minianka healers of West Africa, therapeutic rhythm techniques have been used for thousands of years to create and maintain physical, mental, and spiritual health. Current research is now verifying the therapeutic effects of ancient rhythm techniques. Recent research reviews indicate that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system and produces feelings of well-being, a release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self.

Other studies have demonstrated the calming, focusing, and healing effects of drumming on Alzheimer's patients, autistic children, combat veterans, recovering addicts, trauma patients, and prison and homeless populations. Study results demonstrate that drumming is a valuable treatment for stress, fatigue, anxiety, addiction, hypertension, asthma, chronic pain, arthritis, heart disease, mental illness, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, emotional disorders, and a wide range of physical disabilities. Research studies mentioned below indicate that drumming:

Reduces tension, anxiety, and stress

Drumming induces deep relaxation, lowers blood pressure, and reduces stress. Stress, according to current medical research, contributes to nearly all disease and is a primary cause of such life-threatening illnesses as heart attacks, strokes, and immune system breakdowns. A 2003 study found that a program of group drumming helped reduce stress and employee turnover in the long-term care industry and might help other high-stress occupations as well.(n1) A groundbreaking 2005 study demonstrated that group drumming not only reduces stress, but reverses genetic switches that turn on the stress response believed responsible in the development of common diseases.(n2)

Helps control chronic pain

Chronic pain has a progressively draining effect on the quality of life. Researchers suggest that drumming serves as a distraction from pain and grief. Moreover, drumming promotes the production of endorphins and endogenous opiates, the bodies own morphine-like painkillers, and can thereby help in the control of pain.(n3) Endorphins are among the brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which interact with the opiate receptors in the brain to reduce our perception of pain and act similarly to drugs such as morphine and codeine. In contrast to the opiate drugs, however, activation of the opiate receptors by the body's endorphins does not lead to dependence or addiction. Although more research needs to be done, endorphins are believed to produce four key effects on the body/mind: they relieve pain, reduce stress, enhance the immune system, and postpone the aging process.


Boosts the immune system

A 2001 medical research study indicates that drumming circles boost the immune system. Led by renowned cancer expert Barry Bittman, MD, the study demonstrates that group drumming actually increases cancer-killing cells, which help the body combat cancer as well as other viruses, including AIDS. According to Dr. Bittman, "Group drumming tunes our biology, orchestrates our immunity, and enables healing to begin. It's simply a matter of letting go, joining in and having fun -- Mind Over Matter!"(n4)

Alleviates depression

By helping people express their emotions, music therapy appears to be an effective treatment for depression. Twice a week, with the help of trained music therapists, the participants in a 2011 research study learned how to improvise music using a mallet instrument, a percussion instrument or an acoustic, West African djembe drum. Study results demonstrated that participants receiving active music therapy in addition to standard care had a significantly greater improvement in their symptoms than those receiving standard care alone after three months of treatment.(n5)

Produces deeper self-awareness by inducing synchronous brain activity

Research has demonstrated that the physical transmission of rhythmic energy to the brain synchronizes the two cerebral hemispheres. When the logical left hemisphere and the intuitive right hemisphere begin to pulsate in harmony, the inner guidance of intuitive knowing can then flow unimpeded into conscious awareness. The ability to access unconscious information through symbols and imagery facilitates psychological integration and a reintegration of self. Drumming also synchronizes the frontal and lower areas of the brain, integrating nonverbal information from lower brain structures into the frontal cortex, producing "feelings of insight, understanding, integration, certainty, conviction, and truth, which surpass ordinary understandings and tend to persist long after the experience, often providing foundational insights for religious and cultural traditions."(n6)

Accesses the entire brain

The reason rhythm is such a powerful tool is that it permeates the entire brain. Vision for example is in one part of the brain, speech another, but drumming accesses the whole brain. The sound of drumming generates dynamic neuronal connections in all parts of the brain even where there is significant damage or impairment such as in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). According to Michael Thaut, director of Colorado State University's Center for Biomedical Research in Music, "Rhythmic cues can help retrain the brain after a stroke or other neurological impairment, as with Parkinson's patients..." The more connections that can be made within the brain, the more integrated our experiences become.

Induces natural altered states of consciousness

Rhythmic drumming induces altered states, which have a wide range of therapeutic applications. A recent study by Barry Quinn, Ph.D. demonstrates that even a brief drumming session can double alpha brain wave activity, dramatically reducing stress.(n7) The brain changes from Beta waves (focused concentration and activity) to Alpha waves (calm and relaxed), producing feelings of euphoria and well-being. Alpha activity is associated with meditation, shamanic trance, and integrative modes of consciousness. This ease of induction contrasts significantly with the long periods of isolation and practice required by most meditative disciplines before inducing significant effects. Rhythmic stimulation is a simple yet effective technique for affecting states of mind.

Creates a sense of connectedness with self and others

In a society in which traditional family and community-based systems of support have become increasingly fragmented, drumming circles provide a sense of connectedness with others and interpersonal support. A drum circle provides an opportunity to connect with your own spirit at a deeper level, and also to connect with a group of other like minded people. Group drumming alleviates self-centeredness, isolation, and alienation. According to music educator and leadership consultant Ed Mikenas, "Drumming provides an authentic experience of unity and physiological synchronicity. If we put people together who are out of sync with themselves (i.e., diseased, addicted) and help them experience the phenomenon of entrainment, it is possible for them to feel with and through others what it is like to be synchronous in a state of preverbal connectedness."(n8)

Helps us to experience being in resonance with the natural rhythms of life

Rhythm and resonance order the natural world. Dissonance and disharmony arise only when we limit our capacity to resonate totally and completely with the rhythms of life. The origin of the word rhythm is Greek meaning "to flow." We can learn to flow with the rhythms of life by simply learning to feel the beat, pulse, or groove while drumming. When drummers feel this rhythmic flow, especially at a slower, steady beat, they can shift into a state of deep relaxation and expanded awareness. It is a way of bringing the essential self into accord with the flow of a dynamic, interrelated universe, helping us feel connected rather than isolated and estranged.(n9)

Provides a secular approach to accessing a higher power

Shamanic drumming directly supports the introduction of spiritual factors found significant in the healing process. Drumming and Shamanic activities produce a sense of connectedness and community, integrating body, mind and spirit. According to research published in the American Journal of Public Health, "Shamanic activities bring people efficiently and directly into immediate encounters with spiritual forces, focusing the client on the whole body and integrating healing at physical and spiritual levels. This process allows them to connect with the power of the universe, to externalize their own knowledge, and to internalize their answers; it also enhances their sense of empowerment and responsibility. These experiences are healing, bringing the restorative powers of nature to clinical settings."(n10)

Releases negative feelings, blockages, and emotional trauma

Drumming can help people express and address emotional issues. Unexpressed feelings and emotions can form energy blockages. The physical stimulation of drumming removes blockages and produces emotional release. Sound vibrations resonate through every cell in the body, stimulating the release of negative cellular memories. As a counselor of at-risk youth, Ed Mikenas finds that, "Drumming emphasizes self-expression, teaches how to rebuild emotional health, and addresses issues of violence and conflict through expression and integration of emotions." Michael Winkelman, a leader in neurotheological perspectives on shamanism, believes that drumming and other shamanic altered states of consciousness activities can also address the emotional needs of addicted populations. In his 2003 article, "Drumming Out Drugs," Winkelman concluded that, "Drumming circles have important roles as complementary addiction therapy, particularly for repeated relapse and when other counseling modalities have failed."(n11)

Places one in the present moment

Drumming helps alleviate stress that is created from hanging on to the past or worrying about the future. When one plays a drum, one is placed squarely in the here and now. One of the paradoxes of rhythm is that it has both the capacity to move your awareness out of your body into realms beyond time and space, and to ground you firmly in the present moment. It allows you to maintain a portion of ordinary awareness while experiencing non-ordinary awareness. This permits full recall later of the visionary experience.

Provides a medium for individual self-realization

Drumming helps reconnect us to our core, enhancing our sense of empowerment and stimulating our creative expression. Music educator Ed Mikenas believes that, "the advantage of participating in a drumming group is that you develop an auditory feedback loop within yourself and among group members -- a channel for self-expression and positive feedback -- that is pre-verbal, emotion-based, and sound-mediated."(n12) Each person in a drum circle is expressing themselves through his or her drum and listening to the other drums at the same time. "Everyone is speaking, everyone is heard, and each person's sound is an essential part of the whole."(n13) Each person can drum out their feelings without saying a word, without having to reveal their issues. Group drumming complements traditional talk therapy methods. It provides a means of exploring and developing the inner self. It serves as a vehicle for personal transformation, consciousness expansion, and community building. The primitive drumming circle is emerging as a significant therapeutic tool in the modern technological age. To learn more, click on the "Articles" link to read informative articles on drum therapy and shamanic drumming.

References:
1. Bittman, M.D., Barry, Karl T. Bruhn, Christine Stevens, MSW, MT-BC, James Westengard, Paul O Umbach, MA, "Recreational Music-Making, A Cost-Effective Group Interdisciplinary Strategy for Reducing Burnout and Improving Mood States in Long-Term Care Workers," Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, Fall/Winter 2003, Vol. 19 No. 3/4.
2. Barry Bittman, Lee Berk, Mark Shannon, Muhammad Sharaf, Jim Westengard, Karl Guegler, David Ruff, "Recreational music-making modulates the human stress response: a preliminary individualized gene expression strategy," Medical Science Monitor, 2005; 11(2):BR31-40.
3. Winkelman, Michael, Shamanism: The Neural Ecology of Consciousness and Healing. Westport, Conn: Bergin & Garvey; 2000.
4. Bittman, M.D., Barry, "Composite Effects of Group Drumming...," Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine; Volume 7, No. 1, pp. 38-47; January 2001.
5. Erkkila J, Punkanen M, Phil L et al. "Individual music therapy for depression: randomised controlled trial," The British Journal of Psychiatry 2011.
6. Winkelman, Michael, Shamanism: The Neural Ecology of Consciousness and Healing. Westport, Conn: Bergin & Garvey; 2000.
7. Friedman, Robert Lawrence, The Healing Power of the Drum. Reno, NV: White Cliffs; 2000.
8. Mikenas, Edward, "Drums, Not Drugs," Percussive Notes. April 1999:62-63.
9. Diamond, John, The Way of the Pulse - Drumming with Spirit, Enhancement Books, Bloomingdale IL. 1999.
10. Winkelman, Michael, "Complementary Therapy for Addiction: Drumming Out Drugs," American Journal of Public Health; Apr 2003, Vol. 93 Issue 4, p647, 5p.
11. Winkelman, Michael, "Complementary Therapy for Addiction: Drumming Out Drugs," American Journal of Public Health; Apr 2003, Vol. 93 Issue 4, p647, 5p.
12. Mikenas, Edward, "Drums, Not Drugs," Percussive Notes. April 1999:62-63.
13. Friedman, Robert Lawrence, The Healing Power of the Drum. Reno, NV: White Cliffs; 2000.

[lucidity]

Thanks Skyhaven,

You've presented a persuasive and seductive case... where do i sign ?
I guess one potential downside is damage to the ear drums from the noise.
A simple way to mitigate the risk would be to wear ear plugs.
And i guess practicing at home might risk family and/or neighbour
relations damage.

So, if we wanted to get into drumming, what's the path ?
Are there free resources somewhere online that you recommend ?
Should we start with bongos ?
Find a 'Learn to Play the Bongos' class and join it ?
And then move on to actual drums ?
Or should we start with a drum kit ?
Join a 'Learn to Play the Drums' class ?
Or perhaps buy a rubber 'drum' pad and practice with that ?
What are your recommendations ?

Thanks for your help

be happy :-)

lucidity

[Baby Steps]

Wow this is excellent.
4-7 hz drumming gives us the Theta wave state-ecstatic induction!

http://shamanicdrumming.com/shamanic_journeying.html

God bless

[Orph]

In answer to lucidity's question, ..... What you want to do is to find a drum circle that you can join somewhere near you. Google "drum circle" and then type in whatever city or location where you live. (this goes for anybody). You don't need any training to join a drum circle. You don't need any expensive drum, although I realize that depending on your circumstances, the term expensive will mean different things to different people. (Say, about $100). There are various types of hand drums that you can buy. (drums that are played using your hands). Bongos, conga's, djembe's, native american hand drums, and so on.

A drum circle is simply a gathering of people that simply, .... well, ... get together to bang on their drums. In most cases all are welcome. Someone will start off with a drum beat and the others will simply join in. As a newbie, you just simply allow the beat to start flowing and then join with the group. It isn't about showing off, or doing fantastic drum solo's. In fact, notice how often I used the word 'simple' in my post. Because it is.

When the beat starts flowing, and you start playing, you kind of go into a semi-trance like state. Sort of anyway. It can be a very rewarding and spiritual experience. There are of course, some differences in drum circles. Although you may find one where it just doesn't feel right, the chances are much better that you will find one that you will enjoy.

[Skyhaven]

Posted by lucidity (here)
Thanks Skyhaven,

You've presented a persuasive and seductive case... where do i sign ?
I guess one potential downside is damage to the ear drums from the noise.
A simple way to mitigate the risk would be to wear ear plugs.
And i guess practicing at home might risk family and/or neighbour
relations damage.

So, if we wanted to get into drumming, what's the path ?
Are there free resources somewhere online that you recommend ?
Should we start with bongos ?
Find a 'Learn to Play the Bongos' class and join it ?
And then move on to actual drums ?
Or should we start with a drum kit ?
Join a 'Learn to Play the Drums' class ?
Or perhaps buy a rubber 'drum' pad and practice with that ?
What are your recommendations ?

Thanks for your help

be happy :-)

lucidity

Hi Lucidity,

Like Orph wrote, I would also suggest to team up with a drum circle just to get a feel of playing in the flow of the rhythm. Often there's someone in the circle who will take the lead, and from there you can add anything to the pulse of the rhythm. There are lots of simple drum patterns you can start off with, so you'll blend right in!

But you don't necessarily need a group for that effect. You can also play to a (rhythmic) backtrack at home, or just get the flow going by yourself. You could also start off with a drum kit, but drumming on a drum kit needs a bit of practice because you're then dealing with multiple instruments (snare drum, bass drum etc).

If you like being taught by an instructor, then I would suggest you take lessons. I personally am not very suited for lessons, because I want to learn things my way. If you join a drum circle though I think you will pick a lot of things by just participating, so I think this is the best way to start off. But then again this isn't about thinking, its about feeling, so do what feels right.

[Kano]

Being a drummer myself (hand and kit), I can attest to the Theta state that is induced during a drumming session. It's a lot easier to achieve when it is just drums; no guitar, no vocals, just drumming. It is certainly a great therapy and you don't have to take lessons to enjoy the effects of drumming, just the willingness to try it. We all have a natural rhythm built in which starts in the womb with our mother's heart as well as our own hearts, not to mention the other natural bio-rhythms we are mostly subconsciously aware of.

Most of the time we forget what we said or what was said to us, but what we never forget is how something or someone makes us feel. Drumming is a feeling you won't forget.