Vocal Physiotherapy

To find out more, visit https://performingartsphysio.com/

Physiotherapy for the voice or laryngeal manual therapy is a non-invasive treatment targeted at addressing the muscular tension that may affect one’s ability to vocalize/phonate. This highly specialized form of manual therapy involves manipulating the larynx and surrounding soft tissue or musculature that controls the movement of the larynx.

The larynx is held in place by muscles that are influenced by factors such as vocal workload, specific voice qualities, support patterns, and posture. These factors can cause increased muscle tension, resulting in limited vocal fold movement and various symptoms, including reduced vocal range, breathy vocal tone, constriction during voicing, and vocal fatigue.

Laryngeal manual therapy aims to identify and treat any areas of restriction while addressing their underlying causes. The treatment is customized to meet the individual’s vocal demands and goals, often involving soft tissue release of tight laryngeal muscles and passive stretches to enhance vocal fold mobility.

What are the conditions you treat?

  • Muscle Tension Dysphonia
  • Pre nodular oedema
  • TMJ disorders
  • Globus pharyngeus

Some of the symptoms that benefit from this treatment include:

  • Vocal fatigue
  • Loss of resonance
  • Breathy vocal tone
  • Constriction whilst voicing
  • Loss of range
  • Neck / jaw tension
  • Muscular pain in extrinsic muscles
  • Effortful/ difficulty swallowing
  • Sensation of lump in throat when swallowing

This treatment is beneficial for any professional voice user – singers, actors, voice actors, musical theatre artists, presenters, teachers.

You may be self-referred or, you may be referred by your ENT doctor, Speech therapist, vocal coach, singing teacher.

This is not the same as speech therapy or vocal coaching. We liaise/ work WITH speech therapists and vocal coaches. Vocal physiotherapy involves manual therapy to address the muscular restriction with a hands-on approach.

Sessions are typically 30 minutes. Extended sessions of 60 minutes are also available for booking as required.