Mental health nurse puts care home residents into relaxing trance with didgeridoo

Residents at one of Pendine Park’s care homes in Wrexham were able to experience the sounds of the Australian outback with the help of didgeridoo player and mental health nurse Chris Thorn.

Mr Thorn who has been playing the traditional Aboriginal instrument for 18 years, claims there’s a proven sound healing effect that comes from listening to the wind instrument.

He said: “I have been a mental health nurse for more than 30 years. The didgeridoo has a positive effect on relaxation and pain management. Our bodies are made up of a high percentage of water and it’s almost like throwing a pebble into a lake.

“The effects ripple outwards and the sound massage that people experience has a calming and deeply relaxing effect. I’m really not surprised so many residents fell into a deep sleep.

“In fact I will guarantee they will sleep better than they have in years for the next few nights.”

He added: “A player needs to continually vibrate his or her lips while breathing in through the nose and simultaneously expelling air out of the mouth using the tongue and cheeks. Once you get the technique right it becomes second nature.

“I have no doubts whatsoever that the didgeridoo has a really positive effect on a person’s state-of-mind and how they relax. It’s clearly a big help with pain management too.”

His words are borne out by Anita Moran, activities and enrichment coordinator at Pendine Park’s Hillbury House care home, who revealed she had never seen residents so relaxed.

“The effect on residents has been astounding - it really is amazing. "One resident described it to me as like taking a deep breath and then just floating off in a bubble.”

Resident Olga Ord, 84, described the experience as “quite peculiar” saying: “It’s been lovely watching and listening to him, it’s an amazing sound. I was listening to him play and the next thing I was sound asleep. “I woke up feeling I had almost been in a trance. But I did feel so relaxed. I hope he comes to play again.”

The healing concert had such a soporific effect that “almost everyone in the room was soon so relaxed they were all asleep,” said Jack who was visiting his wife Brenda Simons.

The didgeridoo concert was such a success, the care home has decided to hold another.

“It’s definitely something we will try again as residents appear to have gained a lot from it.

“I know Chris does a lot of work with neurological patients who benefit from the sessions but I didn’t realise just how profound the calming and relaxing effect the didgeridoo has on people. It really is remarkable,” said Ms Moran.

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