850 – Vocal Trauma

2023.04.30 – 0850 – Vocal Trauma 

A secondary problem comes when you release that breath through the previously tightened folds.

Added together you have the very real possibility of ‘vocal trauma’, serious damage to your folds.

Think through the vocalisations that often come with the gym-strains of ‘glottal attack’ – using that pressure behind the larynx to give added strength through added tension.

You have seen it (perhaps with weightlifters or tennis players), if not done it yourself, perhaps when you lift a heavy box, say.

The noise that often precedes the breath-holding (something like “erghh!”) then the lifting up of the box, and then as you set it down, a release (“arghhh”!).

Avoid potential vocal trauma by not vocalising these strains, or if you have to make them (especially the release-sound), make it softer, a ‘sshhh’ sound, rather than a sudden vocal “argh!”. Lots of relaxing moves after the strain of weightlifting will also reduce any necessarily-held tension.

So, as a voice professional, with any kind of exercise be careful of this kind of grunting as it tenses and can damage your vocal folds.

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