Porter Pulmonary Patients Learn Therapy Through Music

At their annual holiday party, Porter Health System pulmonary rehabilitation patients were introduced to a new idea in breathing exercises: playing the harmonica. Jim Cullen, a Valparaiso resident and harmonica extraordinaire, treated the patients with familiar tunes, harmonica history, and an explanation on how using the harmonica can improve their health.

The harmonica requires different combinations of breathing to produce its sound, varying from very short puffs of breath to longer, drawn out breaths. And it’s more than just breathing out; inhaling also produces sound, slightly different to the tone of exhaling but useful all the same. “I’m amazed it [the harmonica] doesn’t get more of a following,” stated Jim, “[the harmonica] helps people improve lung capacity and their health. This is like yoga tone.”

As another special treat, each patient was provided with their very own harmonica to keep, donated by Bill Cummins, Porter’s COO. Linda Fait, respiratory therapist, led the group in learning a few notes, along with trying simple songs such as Row, Row, Row Your Boat.

Jim’s enthusiasm for the harmonica spread throughout the group. Smiles lit up the patient’s faces and laughter trickled around the room, as they hesitantly tried a few notes. “People are drawn to [the harmonica]” Stop by the Valpo YMCA and you may catch Jim serenading members with his harmonica as they walk in.