Did you know that up to 20% of people that use their voice for a living will experience difficulty in voice production. This is not just professional singers or performers, but can also be teachers, lawyers, customer service consultants or stay at home mums, to name a few.
There are many reasons why voice disorders occur, one of these is called Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD). This is where the muscles around the front of your neck and head are not allowing your voice box (larynx) to move as efficiently and effectively as it needs to for easy voice production to occur. This can occur on its own in people who use their voice a lot and this is known as primary MTD. MTD it can also be a secondary effect of having a local disorder of your larynx or vocal cords.
Symptoms of Muscle Tension Dysphonia can include: • An effortful voice • Vocal fatigue with everyday voice use • Change in your vocal quality (hoarseness, voice breaks, breathy) • Loss of strength in your voice • Sensation of tightness in the throat/neck • Muscle aching through the front of your neck and throat • A sensation of a lump in your throat • Decreased connection between your breathing and voice production
It is important that any changes or difficulties with voice production are assessed and diagnosed by an ENT and/or Speech Pathologist. Physiotherapists can work as a part of this multidisciplinary team to help get the best outcomes following diagnosis.
The Larynx is suspended at the front of the neck in a sling of muscle and fascia. A physiotherapist working in vocal physiotherapy is trained to assess the mobility and tone of the larynx and its surrounding tissues. They can then use manual therapy strategies to improve any unwanted muscle tone or stiffness. This process acts as a rest button for your voice, making voice production more comfortable and helping your vocal exercises provided by your speech pathologist, become more effective. This process is often called Vocal Unloading.
Vocal Physiotherapists also assess and treat areas that can feed into the front of the neck and larynx. This can include the neck, jaw, upper back, diaphragm and core. This treatment usually includes a combination of manual therapy and exercises which optimise posture, strength and mobility and which can be used as a self-management strategy. Many people who experience voice issues do not seek treatment. Getting a diagnosis can lead to effective treatment for something that you use to interact with your world every day.
