Drum Circles: Your Way to Better Health?

Drum circles and the idea of drumming can be a little intimidating to those who have never experienced it. Television and movie depictions of drum circles and those who attend them are usually highly exaggerated and silly. This might make a person interesting in drumming a little shy about approaching the subject, or even the people involved, but you don't have to be a far out hipster or a dread locked Rasta to want to drum, or to receive the benefits of drumming. In fact , many care homes and even church groups and other organizations have started to utilize group drumming, for fun, for team building and now doctors agree it is good for you!

USA Today featured an article on the growth of alternative medicine in 2001, citing the discoveries of neurologist Barry Bittman that found that group drumming caused an increase in immune cells in those who took part. By far, the best evidence that drumming is indeed medically beneficial may come from the fact that hospitals have now begun to utilize drum circles for both patients and employees. Windber Medical Center in Pennsylvania, offers an entire range of integrative health programs including drumming. and it claims on their website that drumming is a proven strategy not only to reduce stress, but also to enhance and strengthen the immune system .

It is quite simple to understand how drumming could help to reduce stress, certainly, but some mystery is still at work in trying to explain the immune strengthening functions of drumming. Scientists have been compiling evidence and testimonials about the the therapeutic qualities of drumming, and between the two a laundry list of ailments and illnesses that respond to drumming have been produced. Drumming has shown positive results in patients afflicted with Alzheimer's, autism, addictions, high blood pressure, chronic pain, depression, arthritis, and many other physical and mental disorders. As we know stress is the leading cause of many physical problems, including cancer, and arguably the greatest contributor to early death, it stands to reason that drumming could be a great asset to your health care program or daily regimen. But that is not the only explanation for how drumming benefits the body! Barry Quinn , PhD, a clinical psychologist studied the effects of drumming in depth, and what he found is surprising to say the least. Dr. Quinn discovered that drumming drastically increases alpha brainwave function in the brain .

So if you have a rhythm in your heart, worry no more, go out and join that drum circle! If you don't have a drum, no need to worry about that either~ there are many drum circles and drum circle facilitators who offer not only group drumming opportunities, but will often supply a drum to use for a rental fee. If you still feel silly, just tell anyone who asks that your doing it for your health: the best reason of all.