MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Hundreds of Mid-South veterans are recovering from physical and mental disorders by banging on drums.
The Memphis VA hospital has started offering music therapy classes and claimed it’s helping vets cope with injuries, anxiety, depression and even substance abuse.
“There’s no good beats. There’s no bad beats. It’s really what is just in your heart,” said Frank Shaffer in the middle of a circle.
He was speaking to veterans nursing wounds deeper than scars.
The vets of different backgrounds and ages faced new battles back home like coping with physical disabilities, anxiety, depression and PTSD.
“It’s more comfortable here, because everybody else is carrying the same kind of load you are,” said Duston White, an Army veteran.
The group tried a new form of therapy at the VA.
“Working with veterans, I think it’s the special one for me so far,” said Shaffer.
Shaffer was the brains behind the music class, also known as the Drum Circle program.
He used drums as a way to reduce stress, promote creativity, regain self-control and release pent-up tension.
“We know group drumming is very powerful,” he said.
The veterans sat in a circle, slapped their hands on wooden drums, played whatever they felt at the moment and meditated through the music.
“I was just focused on what was happening here. Nothing else. Nothing outside,” said White.
He wasn’t the only one amazed by what he felt.
Leo Lawson, who was in the Navy for six years, said all of his nerve pain disappeared.
“It took me to a happy place where I feel good inside,” said Lawson.
It wasn’t always a happy feeling though.
The group drummed through trauma too.
“If you remember a comrade or somebody who you would like to send a message to, you’re welcome to do that,” Shaffer said to the group.
“As soon as he said it, I went straight to one name in my mind. One of the guys I had lost,” said Peter Cahill, an Army vet.
Many played their drums a little louder calling it powerful and liberating.
They never thought banging a drum would be the medicine they needed.
“Music soothes a savage beast, and we all have a little rage in us,” said Lawson.
Therapists at the VA said the program is a huge success and have picked up the bill, so more vets can continue to try it.