Medical gaslighting can be pretty common, but especially when it comes to conditions that impact the voice to pelvic floor connection. One of those is the feeling that you have a lump in your throat when you swallow or are at rest - BUT - you cannot visibly see or feel it from the outside.
Here's some things your practitioner may check to rule out/in:
- vocal nodules and/or inflammation
- narrow airway
- reactive airway i.e. asthma or other cause
- thyroiditis
- thyroid or lymph nodules
- cancers of that region
- autoimmune issues
- heavy metals or other metal poisoning
- hormone balance
- glucose levels
- liver function
- GERD
- Silent reflux (larynopharyngeal reflux)
- Unchecked or untreated trauma and stress
But, if all this is clear, you may end up with a diagnoses like "globus pharyngeus" or muscle tension dysphonia.
The origins of globus pharyngeus condition are sketchy, with it originally being called "globus hystericus" (associating it with hysterical personality types of a certain, ahem, female gender, especially at menopause).
This was not changed until 1968, so chances are, you could still be left with no answers - and a lump STILL in your throat - even after a visit to the ENT, SLP, DDS, or other practitioner that deals with the head and neck.
One thing I have noticed, by working in a team approach with all of the practitioners above, is that often a pelvic physical therapist or occupational therapist is missing from the orofacial team. In addition, quite often, the first line of treat is a PPI - a reflux med - instead of looking at less invasive and more sustainable long-term solutions like orofacial therapy - [ Ссылка ]
This video goes over what could be one of the many causes of the "lump in the throat feeling," which I personally had for over a year, and which stopped my vocal career dead in its tracks for well over that.
Turns out - in my case, my vocal cords and entire thyroid area were ALSO clear - but I STILL had the lump in my throat. What to do?
Enter the voice to pelvic floor connection. Turns out - there were some higher level orofacial, diaphragm, and pelvic floor issues that, with a little TLC, worked themselves right out, and left my voice even stronger and better than it was before. My vocal range increased, my effort decreased, and my frequent laryngitis disappeared.
I am not saying this single video will do that for you, but here are a few considerations I give folks to think about when it comes to tackling a chronic "lump in the throat" that has been cleared by the ENT and/or SLP.
First, have you:
- mastered this breathing technique
- mastered complete relaxation of the "strap muscles"
- mastered a 6 count inhale and exhale while using the first 2 techniques?
- had a pelvic practitioner clear your pelvic floor to make sure it's not also contributing to your lump in your throat? (not on video obviously, but you can find a therapist by reaching out to www.garnerpelvichealth.com)
Watch the video to see how it's done!
Read more about the Voice to Pelvic Floor Connection here: [ Ссылка ]
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Disclaimer: This and any other videos by Dr. Ginger Garner and the Living Well team do not constitute a patient-provider relationship nor are they a substitute for medical care or physical therapy. By participating in these videos user assumes all risk. Before starting this or any other exercise regimen you should seek the advice and/or clearance of your physician, nurse practitioner, and/or physical therapist. To learn with Dr. G and her team, visit [ Ссылка ].
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