Since the initial vibration of
my first drumming circle never ceased (energy is neither created nor destroyed),
I felt compelled to follow where the music would lead. The rest is a composition
in the making.
As a physician focused on integrative medicine within the traditional healthcare
setting, I’ve had the opportunity to offer music as therapeutic intervention to
our patients suffering from some of the most challenging illnesses imaginable.
Not surprisingly, music as the
Mind-Body Wellness Center has evolved into one of the most appreciated and
innovative interventions of our disease-based programs for the individual with
cancer, heart disease, chronic lung disease and diabetes, the principle causes
of healthcare expenditure, disability and mortality in our nation.
And we’re not just dancing to a
popular tune. Our programs, based upon rigid scientific criteria, are tracked
over time. Not only have we statistically documented improvements in quality of
life, our data also stands as a testimony to the fact that coordinated whole
person medical interventions result in physical, emotional an social benefits
that directly reduce healthcare expenditures – savings that in this physician’s
opinion would not be possible without music as a key healing component. Yet
that's not the finale.
Through basic science research soon to be published, we’ve
recently taken the first step toward scientifically documenting group drumming’s
benefits on the cellular level. Our project, funded by Remo Drums, Inc. and
designed by our research team which includes David Felten, MD, Ph.D. and Lee
Berk, OrPH of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Department of
Neuroimmunology demonstrates statistically significant boosts in cell-mediated
immune function associated with group drumming facilitated by a music therapist.
Colleagues often ask why we use drumming in our patient sessions. I typically
offer a simple response, ”Drums are easier to play than the violin.” All kidding
aside, I’ve actually spent quite a bit of time thinking about our rationale. The
following is the way I plan to explain it at the International Music Products
Association trade show in Los Angeles.
