Vocal Injury        

How to Find a Qualified Provider for Laryngeal Massage
Mufaddal Anis Mufaddal Anis

How to Find a Qualified Provider for Laryngeal Massage

Laryngeal massage is sports massage for the professional vocalist. Rather than being a specific set of ‘moves’ every practitioner performs laryngeal massage in their own unique way. Some rely more on myofascial techniques, others deep tissue (caution: this is not advised). Like any hands-on modality, the benefits are based on the expertise and training of the practitioner. With “training programs” on the rise, it’s critical to recognize that the neck and larynx contain highly-sensitive structures and that less-skilled touch can be totally ineffective or, worse, have serious consequences.

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What Is Laryngeal Massage—And Who Should Get It?
Mufaddal Anis Mufaddal Anis

What Is Laryngeal Massage—And Who Should Get It?

The larynx (voice box) is far more than just a few strips of vocal cord tissue. The numerous muscles, cartilages, and ligaments that make up the voice give it some of the most refined flexibility and mobility of any structure in the human body. It moves constantly throughout the day with breathing and swallowing, meaning it is in constant motion. Conversational speech, with its adjustments to tone, pitch, volume and prosody, bring further tasks of motion. But professional voice use, such as singing or acting, create the most extreme adjustments of the entire apparatus. 

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What is Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)?
Mufaddal Anis Mufaddal Anis

What is Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)?

Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) is often described as an achy feeling in the throat, voice fatigue, or loss of vocal endurance. For singers, teachers, speakers, and other vocal professionals, this can be frustrating and very limiting. Voice rest may make the problem worse, making symptoms even more perplexing.

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Are Vocal Injuries caused by bad technique?

Are Vocal Injuries caused by bad technique?

Explore the emotional and physical challenges that professional voice users face when dealing with vocal injuries. From self-doubt to the role of technique and contributing factors, discover how understanding the 'vocal perfect storm' can empower singers to protect their vocal health and take proactive measures. Learn why engaging with a laryngologist is a crucial step towards injury prevention and recovery.

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Singer’s Tonsillectomy: Tonsil removal for the professional voice user
Reena Gupta Reena Gupta

Singer’s Tonsillectomy: Tonsil removal for the professional voice user

Tonsillectomy is often framed as low-risk to the voice because it’s not an operation that directly contacts the vocal cords. However, the tonsils sit in the throat, influencing vocal tract shape. The voice can be impacted even if the vocal cords are not the target of the surgery. Tonsils affect the voice when they are present, and scar tissue from tonsillectomy can also therefore affect the voice.

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