AJBlock

Hi Que, This is AJ from Didge Project. I'd love to hear if you found a way to monitor yourself at home. In the original Didgeridoo/Sleep Apnea study, participants did self-monitoring by using the Epworth scale. You can take the survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1k8s_G_yKg5dPC2KHrkawL4D7hOc5UwFE_KDjaMw3NVM/viewform

Dear Sleep Apnea Didgeridoo Community,

Here are a few videos with information about the didgeridoo for sleep apnea and how to play it.

First off, if you are not familiar with the didgeridoo and how it can treat sleep apnea, read this article on the study conducted at the University of Zurich: http://didgeproject.com/sleep-apnea/didgeridoo-for-sleep-apnea-first-clinical-study/

Next, get a doctor's perspective. In this interview with Dr. Jordan Stern of BlueSleep you will see him use an endoscope to observe the inner throat while playing didgeridoo: http://didgeproject.com/sleep-apnea/playing-the-didgeridoo-for-sleep-apnea-an-interview-and-analysis-with-dr-jordan-stern-of-bluesleep/

Lastly, here is an introductory lesson on How To Play Didgeridoo For Absolute Beginners: http://didgeproject.com/didgeridoo-lessons/how-to-play-didgeridoo-for-absolute-beginners/

As I mentioned earlier, I have seen subjects mitigate most of their sleep apnea symptoms by playing exclusively on a homemade PVC didgeridoo that costs $5 to make! The ideal dimensions are 1.5" diameter by 48" long. Mouthpiece can be made from beeswax, rubber, wood, or simply by sanding down the plastic.

I'd love to hear from you: what has worked for you with didgeridoo and sleep apnea?

-AJ

Hi mrueschman, This link does not work. Can you send us one that works? Thank you!

Hi BNS, While learning circular breathing will enhance the efficacy of Didgeridoo For Sleep Apnea Therapy it is NOT required to receive benefits. Circular Breathing is important for sustaining the tone for long periods of time. However, I have spoken with Alex Suarez, the didgeridoo instructor from the University of Zurich study published in the British Medical Journal. He says that circular breathing was not an essential component of playing for the subjects in the study. You can see benefits just by playing long tones with a really good sound. For a great introduction to making a good sound on didgeridoo, see this video on How To Play Didgeridoo For Absolute Beginners: http://didgeproject.com/didgeridoo-lessons/how-to-play-didgeridoo-for-absolute-beginners/

PVC pipe works fine. In fact I have seen subjects mitigate most of their sleep apnea symptoms by playing exclusively on PVC didgeridoo!

Hi Kyle, Was the article ever published about this? I would love to see it! Did you see the interview I did with Dr. Jordan Stern of BlueSleep on this topic? Here you will see him use an endoscope to observe the inner throat while playing didgeridoo: http://didgeproject.com/sleep-apnea/playing-the-didgeridoo-for-sleep-apnea-an-interview-and-analysis-with-dr-jordan-stern-of-bluesleep/

I agree with you Vicki, progress must be tracked. What I find is that most people who turn to the didgeridoo are already non-compliant with their CPAP device. I think the best suggestion would be to play didgeridoo daily for 3-4 months and then have a follow up study to see if its really working. Has anyone tried this?

Discipline is the key to any practice. With discipline comes progress and with progress comes healing. Thanks for your comment!

Hi Susan, Did you see the interview I did with Dr. Jordan Stern of BlueSleep on this topic? Here you will see him use an endoscope to observe the inner throat while playing didgeridoo: http://didgeproject.com/sleep-apnea/playing-the-didgeridoo-for-sleep-apnea-an-interview-and-analysis-with-dr-jordan-stern-of-bluesleep/

Hi Everyone, Thanks for the great feedback. I've been working as a didgeridoo teacher for a number of years and here is what I have found. Those who are willing to practice the didgeridoo for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week almost always show positive results. Of course, proper technique is required and this can be obtained through learning with a teacher or online videos. I have seen many people try the didgeridoo, yet without a consistent practice the toning of the muscles is not fully realized.

Didgeridoo is not for everyone. I find that the people who do best with it are those who have already developed other daily practices such as yoga, meditation, qi-gong and other musical instruments. Once discipline is established it is natural for these people to bring a new practice into their daily routine. Here's a great article on the didgeridoo for sleep apnea study:

http://didgeproject.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=136&Itemid=98

Enjoy!

-AJ