It’s not unusual to have tight muscles now and then. You may feel muscle tension if you sleep in an awkward position or if you’re under a lot of stress at work. While people often talk about muscle tension in their neck or shoulders, it’s also possible to develop the tension around your voice box.
Muscle tension dysphonia isn’t a musculoskeletal issue, but actually a voice disorder. Muscle tension dysphonia occurs when the muscles surrounding the larynx, also known as a voice box, become too tight.Â
Read on to get a rundown on the disorder and how to treat it.
Symptoms of muscle tension dysphonia
The symptoms of muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) can be felt as well as heard. Here are a few of the most common:
- Strained or hoarse voice
- Voice cracking or breaking
- Decreased vocal range
- Neck pain
- Fatigue after talking
Be sure to talk to your doctor for a potential MTD diagnosis if you’re experiencing these symptoms.
Causes of muscle tension dysphonia
There are a variety of potential causes for muscle tension dysphonia. While some are due to factors out of your control, others are due to how you use the muscles.
Possible reasons you may develop MTD include:
- Your breathing pattern not matching your muscle coordination
- Allergies or infections that irritate your throat
- Stressful or traumatic experiences
- Loud or excessive talking, singing or coughing
Treatments for muscle tension dysphonia
There are two kinds of muscle tension dysphonia: primary and secondary. Primary MTD means that the muscles surrounding the voice box aren’t able to function properly, even though the vocal cords can. Secondary MTD means that there’s an issue with the vocal cords, leading to overcompensation by the surrounding muscles. The type of MTD that you’re diagnosed with will play a role in how to treat the symptoms safely and effectively.
Muscle tension dysphonia can be treated in a variety of ways, including:
- Voice therapy — Improving or restoring your voice is one of the main goals of treating MTD. A doctor can refer you to a speech-language pathologist for voice therapy. They will help you learn how to safely use your voice by improving airflow and decreasing tension in your voice box.
- Manual therapy — When it comes to treating a painful condition, it’s important to be hands on when possible, so physical therapy is a great option. Your physical therapist may use massage-like movements around the neck and voice box. They can help release some of the muscle tension that’s causing pain and your restricted voice.
- Acupuncture — Your physical therapist may recommend using acupuncture as a way to relieve the muscle tension that’s contributing to your MTD symptoms. Not only can it alleviate the excessive pressure being placed on your voice box, but the thin needles also encourage the body’s natural healing abilities for a quicker recovery.
At REPAIR SI, we can guide you through the safest and most effective treatment options to alleviate your muscle tension dysphonia symptoms.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.