What is Laryngeal Massage?
Laryngeal massage, or voice massage, adapts the concept of sports massage to the vocal apparatus. Given the intensity of singing, voice acting, and professional speaking, athletes of the voice experience many of the same things that sports athletes do.
For this reason, vocal athletes experience tension, tightness, and discomfort in their voices and respond extremely well to expert laryngeal massage. This method alleviates tension in the larynx, aiding in the return of mobility, dexterity, and functionality.
Center for Vocal Health integrates fundamental massage techniques with a medical approach, utilizing myofascial release, manual adjustment, and massage. The vocal system encompasses not only the laryngeal muscles but also the muscles in the neck, chest, back, and abdomen. As a result, any of these muscles and their associated ligaments might necessitate manual therapy to mitigate tension and alleviate discomfort.
Self-check: Do I need a laryngeal massage?
If you are a professional voice user, the short answer is "yes."
Ask any sports athlete if they benefit from a massage and the answer is a quick "yes." Vocal athletes are no different. They commonly experience:
An ache in their throat
The sensation of something stuck object in the throat, known as the "Globus"
Throat soreness
These are nearly universal amongst vocal athletes. Singers often experience this after a performance or tour. Other vocal athletes like keynote speakers, educators, and legal professionals may reduce voice use or stop altogether due to the sensation of voice fatigue. These are all indications that you may benefit from a voice message.
What are the causes of vocal discomfort and vocal pain?
What are the indicators of throat tightness?
Initial signs:
Experiencing vocal fatigue more rapidly
An ache during or after singing
Later symptoms:
Reduced vocal range
Expanded vocal break
Discomfort during voicing
Uncomfortable swallow
Globus (feeling of something stuck in the throat)
Self-check: Use your thumb and second (index) finger in a C-shape and place them on either side of your throat. You should land approximately where your head meets your neck at the top. Gentle press and wiggle your fingers. A feeling of achiness or soreness is an indication that you may need a voice message.
Professional voicing is a sport. It requires complex coordination of many muscle groups, not just the vocal cords. There are many muscles in the neck, back, chest, and abdomen that contribute to an efficient and powerful voice.
The laryngeal muscles are small and fatigue easily. Once they have maxed out, we recruit compensatory muscles to do the work. Holistically, these muscles all become tight, sore, and often engage asymmetrically leading to inefficiency and fatigue.
Chronically, the body learns these compensatory muscle use patterns and relies on them, making it hard for the body to undo. Ligaments and fascia may shorten and tighten, making it hard for the patient to relax the area for a healthy voice.
The muscles to wrap around to form the throat can produce a feeling of something stuck in the throat when they tighten; this is called a Globus sensation. Tightness can also give rise to symptoms such as a sore throat, discomfort in the throat, vocal fatigue, or painful voicing. When muscular length and efficiency are restored through relaxation and massage, nearly all vocal professionals note improved vocal quality, range, and overall sensation.
What is the cause of vocal tightness?
Vocal athletes experience tightness like any other athlete, due to the intensity of their use.
However, certain conditions make this more likely to occur:
Illness
Surgery
Back-to-back intense demand
Inflammatory conditions affecting the larynx, such as allergies
Stress/anxiety
Is a laryngeal massage necessary?
These all make it more likely that a patient would benefit from voice massage.
Vocal athletes, in particular, experience heightened stress and anxiety related to their voices. Many singers experience voice-related symptoms following stressful events like breakups, car accidents, or contract negotiations. Just as some individuals may develop tension in their shoulders or experience heartburn when under stress, singers often encounter laryngeal tightness.
What occurs during laryngeal massage?
What occurs during laryngeal massage?
The larynx is comprised of muscles, ligaments, and cartilage that support and facilitate vocal production.
The larynx consists of three major structures: the hyoid bone, the thyroid cartilage, and the cricoid cartilage. The muscles and ligaments that attach to these can all produce symptoms of voice and throat pain. The site of tension is very individual and needs to be identified and targeted in each patient.
Manual release of these areas immediately improves resonance, voice comfort, and the efficiency of sound production. Vocal fatigue and discomfort decrease. Relief can come from the relaxation of the fascia surrounding the muscles, the release of neurochemicals, the elimination of scar tissue, or various other mechanisms. When alignment improves, the voice is noticeably improved.
How can I determine if manual therapy is necessary for me?
Symptoms of voice concern include:
Loss of range
Voice fatigue
Discomfort or pain
Needing a longer recovery time
Hoarseness
These indicators may suggest the presence of an injury or muscular problems that could benefit from manual therapy. Proper treatment requires evaluation by a laryngologist. This includes a meticulous assessment of your medical history, vocal health, and video stroboscopy findings, which will guide the recommended course of action, potentially involving laryngeal massage.
Important: laryngeal massage should not be done without video stroboscopy and medical evaluation to rule out injury and ensure the patient is safe to proceed. Failure to undergo evaluation by a laryngologist before laryngeal massage may result in a missed diagnosis of vocal cord injuries, which can worsen over time. However, once cleared for manual therapy, a personalized treatment plan will address specific needs. The majority of patients typically notice substantial improvements within just 1-2 sessions.