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12 Jul 10 - 11:38 AM (#2943963) Subject: functional dysphonia: massage therapy From: Desert Dancer Interesting article on NPR today about physical manipulation helping in curing functional dysphonia: With A Quick Throat Massage, A Voice Returns. excerpted: Julie Treible caught a common spring cold this year and lost her ability to speak — for six weeks. The cold had turned into bronchitis, then laryngitis — at least that's what she thought. "April 1 I got a cold, and this part never got better — my voice," says the 43-year-old single mom in a forced whisper. ... Treible's condition, called functional dysphonia, is caused when the muscles that control the vocal cords tighten up and lock. In Treible's case, the vocal cords were locked in an open position so that the air from her lungs simply passed over but not across the vocal cords themselves, so they were unable to vibrate and produce sound. By massaging and relaxing the muscles in her throat, Milstein was able to release the vocal cords and allow Treible to speak again — all in about seven minutes. "In order to produce voice, you need to have a very good balance of muscle tone in a lot of different muscles that are involved in voice production," Milstein says. "So an intervention like this, where basically you manipulate these muscles and try to restore the internal balance, is very effective." The problem, it turns out, is fairly common. Milstein estimates he sees about 10 patients like Treible every month, some of whom have been without a voice for up to two to three years. One reason for the delay in treatment, Milstein says, is that things like cancer, infection, acid reflux and neurological problems need to be ruled out — and those diagnostics may involve multiple doctors, medications and expensive tests. --- This was at the Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute. ~ Becky in Long Beach |
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12 Jul 10 - 01:16 PM (#2944031) Subject: RE: functional dysphonia: massage therapy From: GUEST,highlandman at work I heard that. It was amazing. NPR had taped the therapy session, and the difference in the woman's voice was astonishing. Part of me wants to call "quack" but really, the therapist's explanation was quite plausible. I would not have thought that the condition was so widespread, though. Very interesting. Thanks for bringing it up - maybe it will bring hope to some folks who have given up but who could really be helped. -Glenn |
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12 Jul 10 - 07:43 PM (#2944096) Subject: RE: functional dysphonia: massage therapy From: kendall I wish that was my problem; but I have no vocal cords to massage. |
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13 Jul 10 - 12:46 AM (#2944182) Subject: RE: functional dysphonia: massage therapy From: Barbara It's the neck muscles around the voice box, Kendall. Might be worth a try. Also shoulder and back supports. I learned in massage school about releasing all these tiny head support muscles -- and it does amazing stuff to your posture and balance. Blessings, Barbara |
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13 Jul 10 - 12:50 AM (#2944184) Subject: RE: functional dysphonia: massage therapy From: Stilly River Sage Diane Rehm (of WAMU-FM and the Diane Rehm Show) has Spasmodic Dysphonia. I wonder if the massage would help her, in addition to the botox treatment? Sometimes the treatment just doesn't work and she suffers through weeks of a really rough voice (more so than usual). SRS |
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13 Jul 10 - 01:05 AM (#2944188) Subject: RE: functional dysphonia: massage therapy From: Desert Dancer It seems like this works for cases where the muscles have really locked up for some reason. Undoubtedly not a solution for everything, but interesting to hear how it works in many cases. ~ Becky in Long Beach |
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13 Jul 10 - 10:08 PM (#2944646) Subject: RE: functional dysphonia: massage therapy From: GUEST,julia L My vocal coach has always recommended the Lion yoga posture which involves tilting the head back and opening your mouth, extending the tongue and swallowing/ working the tongue in and out to massage the inner muscles around the vocal cords. It really does help a stressed or sore throat and laryngitis. (looks weird- do it in private!) best- Julia |
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03 Aug 10 - 11:11 PM (#2957744) Subject: RE: functional dysphonia: massage therapy From: GUEST,John Has anyone asked there Otolaryngologist about this? I am wondering if I have this issue. I wonder how my Otolaryngologists know about this and can actually do anything about it? |
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03 Aug 10 - 11:32 PM (#2957753) Subject: RE: functional dysphonia: massage therapy From: katlaughing This is really interesting. My muscles get tight in my throat when I start to read to my grandson or husband....sometimes when I sing, but not as much. I am sure it's related to not having enough O2 prior to the new heart valve. One thing I've noticed which helps is a throat "chi" massage as done on a gi gong/yoga tape I have. Rubbing the hands together to build up the chi, then running them down the throat, one after the other. If nothing else it brings warmth to the area and, for me at least, a relaxation which helps. |
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03 Aug 10 - 11:41 PM (#2957755) Subject: RE: functional dysphonia: massage therapy From: Mark Ross I have that problem. I'll have to look into finding a massage therapist. Mark Ross |
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04 Aug 10 - 12:15 PM (#2958031) Subject: RE: functional dysphonia: massage therapy From: Desert Dancer For the condition described in the article, I would think it would take someone with a very clear understanding of the musculature and structures involved. The person who did the massage was a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute. ~ Becky in Tucson |