Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Releasing tension in the larynx
The larynx, which is your ‘voice box’, is a series of connected cartilages and membranes in your throat. This mechanism enables you to swallow, cough, speak, and sing. Each of these functions is possible because the larynx is made up of many individual muscles, which work together to move the different parts of the larynx.
The muscles of your larynx need to have the right balance of tension. If the muscles ‘overwork’ and strain, they become tight – just like the muscles of your neck and shoulders can become tight. When the throat muscles are tight, this can lead to:
- Vocal strain and fatigue
- Hoarseness or voice loss
- A feeling of tightness or constriction in your throat
- A feeling of a lump in the throat or something stuck
- Difficulty or discomfort swallowing
As well as muscles, there is a layer of connective tissue called ‘fascia’ that wraps around the muscles. Fascia can become tight and restricted. Stretches for fascia are known as ‘myofascial release’.
This leaflet will talk you through some techniques for massaging and stretching the muscles and fascia of your larynx.
The base of the tongue
- Identify the ‘horseshoe’ shape of the jaw. Starting in the middle just behind your chin, place your thumbs together and push upwards
- Slide or ‘walk’ the thumbs backwards until you reach the curve of the chin, then repeat 2-3 times
- Set your thumbs apart slightly (about a thumb’s width) and repeat
- Keep working in this area until you reach the edges of the jaw bone, moving back and forth
- It can also be useful to ‘pinch’ the skin underneath your chin, using the large surface area of flat finger and thumb. You can roll the skin, or gently pull from side to side. This helps to stretch and release the fascia
The larynx – movement one
- Using the flat ‘pads’ of your first finger and thumb, start at the base of your tongue, with your fingers around an inch apart (not too wide), and press in (towards your spine) whilst pulling downwards
- You should feel a stretch, like you are gently grabbing on to your voice box and pulling it downwards
- You can apply firm pressure safely, just don’t pinch your fingers in towards each other
- Repeat 5-10 times.
The larynx – movement two
- Use your fingers in the same position as movement one, this time start with just your thumb, sliding inwards and downwards along the side of your larynx
- Then repeat on the other side, with your finger
- Keep repeating this, alternating between thumb and finger
- As well as downwards stretch, you should now feel that you are also stretching your larynx gently sideways – more like a diagonal movement. Don’t worry if you feel any clicking or crunching
- Repeat 5-10 times.
The larynx – movement three
- Return to using both finger and thumb, as in movement one
- Pull downwards, and once you reach the middle of your larynx (where the ‘adams apple’ is), give the larynx a gentle ‘wiggle’ from side to side
- Try to keep the downwards pull as you wiggle, this increases the stretch
- Repeat 3-5 times.
Myofascial release for the front of the neck
- Expose the skin just below your collar bones, and place your hands flat one on top of the other (‘pinning’ down the skin)
- Press firmly inwards, and pull very slightly downwards
- Gently close your teeth, and slowly tip your head backwards, tipping your chin up towards the ceiling
- Stop when you feel a stretch, and hold for 10-20 seconds.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Speech and language therapy service.
About this information
Service:
Speech and language therapy
Reference:
VV/032
Approval date:
27 September 2024
Review date:
1 September 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.