Backstage Medical Care: Are “Rock Docs” the Best Solution for Touring Performers?
The work of the vocal athlete very often takes them away from home. Singers go on tour, actors do shoots on location, voice actors do conventions, and pro speakers speak off site primarily. This means that vocal crisis hits in unfamiliar cities or countries. Teams often rally to find local doctors who are able to come to venues. These so called "rock docs" are the current go-tos to help the show go on. But is the best way to care for vocal athletes on the road?
What are the vocal risks of touring?
Touring takes artists on the road for months at a time. Time zone changes, unfamiliar allergens, close proximity to many people on tour buses or planes (and whatever viruses they get or products they're inhaling), limited sleep, dry air... the list goes on. Singers find themselves far from home and their care team when vocal crisis strikes from illness, overuse, allergies, food poisoning, or the hundreds of other things that can impact the voice.
This means that most vocal athletes are far from the care they need when they most need it, and when their demand (and risk for injury) is the highest.
Call in the “Rock Doc” ...?
In emergency situations on tour, many tour managers rely on local “rock docs”— medical professionals who provide rapid fixes like IVs, antibiotics, or steroids. While this may help that night's show, without proper examination of the vocal cords, there is a huge risk of pushing through early injury, resulting in more serious injury.
Worse still, these docs often just care for the artist in that one city. They don't have a grasp on their medical history, medications, frequency of steroid use, etc. They often prescribe and utilize steroids and may not realize the artist has already been on them for too long or too frequently that year. There are significant risks to the health of the bones, heart, adrenal glands, and other vital functions from overuse of these medications. Without a comprehensive understanding of your vocal history or the ability to perform a detailed voice examination, these quick fixes can miss the underlying issues and may lead to long-term damage.
Avoiding Vocal Crisis on the Road
The best strategy to avoid injury is preventative planning.
Partner with a local laryngologist before you hit the road. Establishing a relationship with a trusted voice specialist means:
Establish a relationship with a local laryngologist: Before you book the next show, book a session with a laryngologist which is a more specialized ENT that exclusively focuses on the voice. This visit should include a videostroboscopy, assessment of medical issues impacting voice, and a daily care plan.
Pre-Tour Assessment: Follow up 2 weeks pre-tour to ensure the plan is working. Find out how best to contact your laryngologist should you have issues on the road. Sign off on permissions for whomever on your team is permitted to communicate about health issues to ease mid-tour coordination.
Personalized, Remote Support: Your laryngologist will know your full medical and vocal history, allowing them to offer tailored advice and even review video recordings of your symptoms if you encounter issues while away from home.
Qualified Local Referrals: In cases where an in-person evaluation becomes necessary, your specialist can connect you with trusted local professionals who have the expertise needed for professional voice care.
Long-Term Investment: Partnering with your voice specialist, rather than a last-minute “rock doc” call, can help prevent vocal injury and avoid show cancellations. Laryngologists often have doctors in major cities they work with and facilitate access to high quality care.
Conclusion
Relying solely on emergency fixes from general practitioners can lead to “blind care,” where the root cause of your vocal issues is never fully addressed. Instead, a proactive partnership with a specialized laryngologist offers a robust, personalized approach to keep your voice in peak condition, ensuring you perform at your best night after night.
For more insights on maintaining optimal vocal health on the go, visit Center for Vocal Health and explore our resources on preventive care and innovative solutions for professional voice users.
