Editing Harmonica (section)

==Medical use==
Playing the harmonica requires inhaling and exhaling strongly against resistance. This action helps develop a strong [[Thoracic diaphragm|diaphragm]] and deep breathing using the entire [[lung volume]]. [[human lung|Pulmonary]] specialists have noted that playing the harmonica resembles the kind of exercise used to [[Physical therapy#Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy|rehabilitate]] [[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease|COPD]] patients such as using a PFLEX inspiratory muscle trainer or the inspiratory [[spirometer]]. Learning to play a musical instrument also offers motivation in addition to the exercise component. Many pulmonary rehabilitation programs {{specify|date=June 2012}} therefore have begun to incorporate the harmonica.<ref>{{cite web | title = Harmonica For Fun & Health Classes | publisher = Harmonica Masterclass | url = http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com/pulm.htm | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060630001951/http://harmonicamasterclass.com/pulm.htm | archive-date = 2006-06-30 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release | title = When breathing needs a tune-up, harmonica class hits all the right notes | date = September 28, 2005 | publisher = University of Michigan | url = http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2005/hmharmonica.htm | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060524095509/http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2005/hmharmonica.htm | archive-date = May 24, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | title = Pulmonologists Treat Breath Shortness with Harmonica Classes | date = January 1, 2006 | publisher = American Institute of Physics | url = http://www.aip.org/dbis/stories/2006/15114.html | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060617150522/http://aip.org/dbis/stories/2006/15114.html | archive-date = June 17, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | title = Using the Harmonica in Physical Therapy. (This will be useful in cheerleading practice.) | publisher = KYW Newsradio 1060 | url = http://www.kyw1060.com/content_page.php?contentType=4&contentId=151980 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20081228044928/http://www.kyw1060.com/content_page.php?contentType=4&contentId=151980 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2008-12-28 }}</ref>

When [[Ronald Reagan|President Ronald Reagan]] suffered a punctured lung in the [[Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan|1981 attempt on his life]], his breathing therapist was Howard McDonald, of the [[Cambridge Harmonica Orchestra]]. Orchestra director Pierre Beauregard had hoped that Reagan's therapeutic harmonica experience would help them get a chance to play at the [[White House]], but this never occurred.<ref name="joyous">{{cite news| title=Joyous Cacophony|author= Richard Harrington|date=December 16, 1983| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1983/12/16/joyous-cacophony/d465e5fb-74cd-4121-b1e4-963c43d49e75 |newspaper=Washington Post|access-date= March 26, 2021}}</ref>