Muscle tension dysphonia is a term used to define a negative change in the sound of one’s voice due to the muscle strain in the neck. Hoarseness or discomfort due to excessive muscle tension in and around the voice box can be telling signs of the beginning stages of this nasty voice disorder. This form of muscle tension prevents the sufferer from using their natural voice. Muscle tension dysphonia can easily develop during laryngitis and can remain even after the swelling of the vocal cords (due to laryngitis and other similar illnesses) has subsided. It can also be caused by stress, therefore causing a co-occurring diagnosis. The dysphonia may occur on its own, known as primary MTD - or as a result of other underlying disorders, known as secondary MTD.

What are the symptoms of this form of dysphonia?

Muscle tension dysphonia generally causes the voice to sound rough, hoarse, raspy, weak, breathy, airy, squeezed, tight or tense. Some of the other symptoms include:

A weak or airy voice
Sudden breaks or fading of the voice
A neck that is tender or sore to the touch
Loss of vocal range when singing
Feeling the need to clear the throat often
The feeling of a lump in the throat

How do we treat muscle tension dysphonia?

Behavioral treatment in the form of an alternative form of voice therapy is generally advised as the best treatment for muscle tension dysphonia. This specific form of therapy (known as the “Vocal Science™ Method”) is recommended for both forms of MTD - primary or secondary in nature.

Using a specialized form of voice restoration, combined with the application of natural herbs and remedies applied onto the vocal box, this is the best way of dealing with this form of dysphonia, as well as with many other voice disorder symptoms.

This unique approach to voice mechanics is achieved by lifting the sufferer’s voice off of their vocal box (using specially-designed forms of speech and, if needed, singing exercises) and restructuring it to their facial muscles; and then putting those facial muscles to work in full conjunction and coordination with their abdominal muscles.

The above actions will naturally amplify the human voice, allowing the true voice to be heard without compromise. It will also minimize the use of the sufferer’s throat, larynx and vocal cords – therefore it will definitely eliminate the harmful use (pain and strain) of the vocal anatomy altogether.

If you are suffering from the above-mentioned symptoms of such a disorder like muscle tension dysphonia and are seeking professional help, please contact The Royans Institute for Non-Surgical Voice Repair: www.repairyourvoice.com: info@vocalscience.com | 416-857-8741

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Author's Bio: 

Ms. Yampolsky is one of the world's foremost specialists on the topic of the human voice and is the creator of Vocal Science(TM), a unique and truly revolutionary accelerated vocal development technique. It is a holistic and scientific approach to voice mechanics that enables all singers and speakers to reach their full potential in an extremely short period of time. Based in Ontario, Canada, Diana works with a worldwide spectrum of clientele as a Vocal Coach/Consultant, In-Studio Vocal Production Expert, and Non-Surgical Voice Repair Specialist.
If you feel that you, or a loved one, may be suffering from such voice disorders like Spasmodic Dysphonia, contact us: info@vocalscience.com | 416-857-8741