Vocal Massage (Voice Massage): How the Voice Works and How Massage May Help
Based in the heart of theatreland in Covent Garden, many of my clients are dancers, singers and actors who perform to gruelling timetables in some of the most prestigious venues in the world. Their bodies and voices need to be in peak condition at every performance. As well as deep tissue massage, sports massage and massage specifically for dancers, I offer vocal massage (also known as voice massage or laryngeal massage). I’m the only therapist qualified in this Voice Massage technique in the UK. You can read more on my Vocal Massage page.
How does the voice work?
The voice box is called the larynx and sits above the windpipe (trachea). If you place a hand on your throat and hum, you can feel it vibrating. Inside the larynx are the vocal folds (also called vocal cords), which contain muscle structure around it. Air leaves the lungs, passes through the trachea and makes the vocal folds vibrate. These vibrations are the beginnings of sound, which is shaped by the pharynx above the larynx and leaves the mouth as your voice.
The larynx adjusts pitch and volume, though the strength of the breath from the lungs also affects how loud you sound. The way you move your mouth, tongue, cheeks, lips and even teeth shapes the sound further, which is why every voice is unique.
Some common voice problems
One of the most common is acute laryngitis, inflammation of the larynx that often causes a hoarse or lost voice and a sore throat. It can be caused by a viral illness or by vocal strain from shouting, screaming or overuse. Steam inhalation, voice rest and plenty of water usually help, and most people recover well.
When the voice is under strain for longer, the vocal folds can develop nodules (small, hard bumps) or polyps (softer swellings). If your hoarseness or voice changes last more than a few weeks, please see your GP, who can refer you for a proper assessment.
Vocal massage is not a treatment for these conditions. But it may help ease the muscle tension in the jaw, lips, palate, neck and breathing muscles that often builds up alongside vocal strain, which can make the voice feel freer and easier to use.
Looking after your voice
Good vocal hygiene matters for anyone who uses their voice professionally. Singing, lecturing and acting make physical demands, so aerobic exercise, enough rest, a healthy diet, little or no alcohol and no smoking all help. Performers who travel face extra challenges: air travel, changing eating and sleeping patterns, and dry, dusty halls.
What does a vocal massage session involve?
A session lasts 60 minutes. I work on the muscles involved in producing the voice, from the chest, abdomen and back to the neck, face and head, and I include breathing and stretching exercises. Many clients notice a difference after just 1 to 5 sessions, though longer-standing voice and breathing problems may need more.
Talk to me
If you rely on your voice for a living, protecting it is part of the job, and regular vocal massage can be a valuable part of looking after it. Have a look at my Vocal Massage page for more detail, read what clients say, or book an appointment. I’ll work at a pace designed around your needs.
Have a great week,
Timo
