Didgeridoo, sleep apnea, snoring? How does playing a didgeridoo help?
Researchers in Switzerland examined 25 patients who suffered from snoring and moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, both common sleep disorders. Half the group were given daily 15 to 30 minute lessons in playing the didgeridoo. The study, published in the British Medical Journal's online edition found that those who played didgeridoo over a four-month trial period saw a significant improvement in their daytime sleepiness and apnea. Their partners also reported less disturbance from snoring. The researchers said training the upper airways through the breathing techniques required to play the didgeridoo was behind the improvement. "Our results may give hope to many people with moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and snoring, as well as their partners," the report's authors said. While results may vary, we have had customers get back to us. They report that our didgeridoo was easy to learn to play and get the circular breathing technique. They also have seen an improvement in their conditions.
Use the didgeridoo as a supplement to your CPAP or related therapies as prescribed by your doctor. Do not decrease or discontinue your regimen without consulting your physician first.
- How long each day do I need to play the didgeridoo to help with sleep apnea and snoring? 15 to 30 minutes each day.
- How do I play it? It does not require a lot of force or pressure to play, you don't blow hard. It is a relaxed lip vibration (like giving a raspberry) that creates the tone. Anyone can play it, your height does not matter. Click here for more information on how to play.
Customer Testimonial:
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about two years ago. I followed the usual path of getting hooked up to a ventilating machine which, for me, was a bit of hell on earth. I know people who regain sleep and dreams again because of the machine, but I had a different experience. I went through several different masks and nostril pads trying to find the right fit without success. Even though it was a quiet machine, the sound of air pushing through the mask made a Darth Vader rumble that caused my wife to sleep in another room by the third night. I often found myself awake listening to the swoosh of my own breathing. And when I did sleep, I sometimes woke noticing I wasn’t breathing, waiting for the machine to engage, to force air into my lungs, until I finally realized I had better take a breath. After a tired month of trying, I packed up the machine, called my doctor and asked for a different approach. He was unsure what else to suggest. “That’s the gold standard,” he said. “Yeah, those machines are expensive,” I said. “No,” he said. “it’s the gold standard because it is the most rigorously studied and proven approach for resolving apnea incidents.” “But it doesn’t work for me,” I said. “There’s got to be another approach.” He referred me to a research article that claimed didgeridoo playing helped a small group of patients reduce their apnea episodes. “Why don’t you read the article, follow the regime it lists and let me know how it goes for you.” I figured that if practicing didge for 15-30 minutes a day could reverse my sleep-apnea and keep me off that machine, it was worth trying. I ordered my first didgeridoo online. The results have been life altering. I have more energy throughout the day. I sleep better at night, and I dream again. It took about a week of playing 30-60 minutes a day (I was a bit of a zealot—I wanted to be healthy again!) before I noticed a change. I don’t know anyone who plays nearby, so I watched and listened to YouTube videos (thanks to all of you out there teaching so generously online!). I didn’t worry about sounding good. I just experimented with sounds and kept the drone going. I eventually learned circular breathing, and that opened up the possibilities. I continue to play for 15-30 minutes everyday, although I miss a day or two every now and then without any noticeable difference in my sleep. But I travel as part of my work, and occasionally have missed several days in a row. Each time my snoring has gotten louder and I begin feeling run down. But after a day or two of practicing, I return to sound sleep. I ordered the travel didgeridoo and am very happy with its tone, light weight and packability. Thanks so much for your innovative design. The didgeridoo continues to be good medicine for me and a lot of fun to play--wherever I go! ~Doug
While all of our didgeridoos will help, below are the didgeridoos we recommend for sleep apnea and snoring:
Material: Durable Plastic.
A great value
and affordable way to learn how to play. 47" Didgeridoo. Tuned to the
key of D. Permanent silicone mouthpiece. Super easy to play. Perfect for
a beginner or intermediate player. Designed with thick walls to produce
a crisp clean tone.
Click here to order.
Material: Durable Plastic.
We highly
recommend our slider didgeridoo for beginner, intermediate and advanced
players alike. It plays the 8 most popular keys of
the didgeridoo F, E, D#, D, C#, C, B, and Bb/A. It has superior sound quality due to its heavy duty large
bore construction and 4.5" bell.
Click here to order.