Pulmonica - The Pulmonary Harmonica Designed for Non-Musicians

Pulmonica. That's really very funny, and this delightful device clearly is a labor of love. It helped me clear my chest so I could go to sleep. It works somewhat like the Acapella flutter valve lung device, except it is more fun and you can combine the inhalation and exhalation. This is a real Seydel harmonica with a pretty tone. The body is (very nice) black plastic, so you don't have to worry about condensation. I think it may be waterproof. As long as I breathe all the way in, and then all the way out, I can produce deep resonant chords, and then a comfortable productive cough that clears my breathing a lot. The vibration is very gentle. You can do other things, like pulsing or puffing short notes as you empty your lungs, and its all good. It will play tunes, somehow, if you don't think too much. When I tried tonguing it, though, it didn't work for my lungs.

Nice harmonica for strengthening lungs. Not for playing tunes, but you actually can play some

I purchased my first Pulmonica about a year ago when I was recovering from the tail end of a COPD exacerbation; it was fun and seemed to help but once I felt better I put it away. More recently I had another exacerbation and stumbled upon my old Pulmonica and started using it regularly - several times a day - and fell in love with it! I have found that I can make rich, beautiful music with it AND within a few minutes of playing it every time it brings up some gunk that i can expel easily. My FEV-1 and peak flow numbers are increasing (I keep track using a MicroLife Peak Flow meter and the AsthmaMD app), so I feel that I can very objectively state that this device works! I just bought a second one to keep in my purse, so I always have it handy as I am playing a few times a day even though I am over my exacerbation. They are super easy to clean - I soak it in Efferdent for a few minutes about once a week, rinse, and let air dry. I cannot say enough good things about the Pulmonica! I am grateful that it was created - it is a fun and relaxing respiratory workout! When I swim I can tell that my breathing is easier since I have been playing regularly as well. Also, I have found that it takes just as much breath to play quietly which surprised me and definitely makes it easier to play without annoying others! It might sound silly, but another reason I bought a second one is I started worrying the company could go out of business & I wanted to make sure I had an extra one. They are built solidly by a major harmonica manufacturer, and I imagine any harmonica tech could fix any problems if needed. I have branched out to trying other harmonicas and learning some tunes which is tons of fun! If you have asthma or COPD like I do, this Pulmonica may well become your new best friend! Finally, there is a meditative/mindfulness quality to the Pulmonica that I just love!

I enjoy playing the harmonica. It was recommended by another player so I purchased it for my husband hoping he would reap the health benefits. I ended up returning it. It was not defective in any way but the joy of playing is the joy of making music. This is specifically for health purposes. You can get one of those plastic units that make a ball rise when you blow/draw for a lot less $$$. Seydel is an excellent product. I own Seydel harmonicas. They are very up front with they advertising - it is not for musical enjoyment

Got this for my mom who has been in a rehab for almost a year now with respiratory failure. Respiratory therapy in the place she is now consists of changing her trachea tube, giving her breathing treatments, and some of them coach her on her breathing when they feel like it. I started her using the Pulmonica while she was on the mechanical ventilator. Not that all the credit goes to this little beauty, but she is free from the ventilator and striving towards being capped now within about a month of using it! The Pulmonica has helped her to keep her secretions thin, thus allowing her to cough it up a lot easier. It is a part of her daily routine/respiratory therapy along with my other remedies I have researched and purchased on my own.

This device did nothing for me. I follow the directions, even read the related book, but no results after a month a daily use.

It does seem to help with upper respiratory

From my first session using the Pulmonica, I experienced a pleasing draining of the sinus cavity, which I often feel is too dry. Of course, this naturally has benefits for all connected spaces in the head, and my ears have been less susceptible to aches than they usually are. At least for me, it has a calming, yet energizing effect on my psyche ("balancing" here again). Possibly a good choice for those who seek such a benefit from meditation, but find that such practices tend to induce sleep. The device is extremely well made, as claimed. Please keep this wonderful device in production for many years to come!!