As a chronic pain specialist with extensive experience, I have witnessed firsthand how engaging in playing musical instruments can significantly benefit one’s overall health and well-being. Research shows that taking up musical instruments or rekindling an old passion for music can have profound effects on both physical and cognitive abilities, especially as we age.
The act of practicing and performing music creates powerful connections within the brain and body, leading to improved brain function, enhanced neurologic functioning, and ultimately promoting better physical health. Whether it’s playing woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings, or keyboards, the act of making music can have a positive impact, no matter your skill level.
For my patients dealing with chronic pain, rediscovering the joy of playing an instrument can be a transformative experience. By delving into the world of music once again, individuals may find relief from their pain and see improvements in their physical and emotional well-being.
So, if you have that old dusty instrument lying around, I encourage you to pick it up and start practicing again. The benefits of engaging with music go beyond mere enjoyment – it can truly supplement your life and contribute to your overall health and happiness. Let the melody of music be your companion on your journey towards wellness and pain management.
If that instrument of yours needs a little TLC, I can personally recommend Jennifer Pollmann. She really helped me get some of my older instruments 'back to life.' Here is a little bit about Jennifer and her story:
Jennifer's Story: Restoration
Below is Jennifer Pollmann's beautiful story about bringing Dr. Javery's clarinet back to life.
Restoration. Bringing something back to its original condition.
In life, I think we would all like to find some semblance of restoration. Often we wish we could get something back that we once had. The health that was had in our younger days. A relationship that was once sweet but since has faded, gone sour or been lost. A vintage clarinet that stopped making music the way it once did.
This story is about the latter. Dr. Javery was referred to me by a fellow instrument technician to see if I could restore his clarinet where others could not. He was looking for a way to make his Buffett R-13 sing beautiful song once again. It had stopped working some time before it came across my bench. Several other technicians had worked on this clarinet with less-than-desirable results.
I agreed to take on this work, simply because I love a challenge, and I also love restoring old instruments so they can make music once again. The task at hand was not a simple one. Restoration is exacting work, and takes time and patience. I like to think of the work as making the clarinet as close to how it had originally been, and also improving it if possible.
The things necessary to complete restorative work on instruments includes proper tools, proper oil, professional-grade materials, knowledge, patience, troubleshooting capabilities, and skills developed through practice.
I started my journey as a repair person when I worked at the Yamaha musical instrument factory. The production facility used to be located on East Paris street, right here in Grand Rapids. While working at Yamaha I had several people take me under their wing and teach me the basics of instrument repair. When the factory closed I worked for myself for about ten years fixing instruments for various schools and clients in the area.
For the last seven years I have been working at West Michigan Band Instruments. Other technicians continue to pour their knowledge into me as I continually adapt my techniques and add the most cutting-edge industry supplies to my repairs. I restore and repair professional woodwinds as well as keep a fleet of instruments fixed for local schools, students studying music, and professionals who make their living with their instrument.
The most rewarding part of this work is that I get to be a small part of what helps people keep making music. I have my Bachelor's in Music Education from Calvin College, and my love for teaching and making music pairs perfectly with my work as a woodwind technician.
Just as you would see a mechanic to restore a vintage vehicle, a doctor to restore your health, and a counselor to restore your relationship, it is my hope that you would see me to restore your instrument.
I thank Dr. Javery for allowing me the privilege to work on his clarinet and hope it brings him and his family many more years of music-making.
If you're interested in getting in touch with Jennifer for exceptional instrument restoration services, reach out to Dr. Javery for her information.
