Questions
Does it hurt?
Vocal manual therapy (VMT) should never hurt when carried out correctly. It is very gentle and the singer dictates any slight pressure changes throughout the session.
My Voice is my livelihood, Should I be nervous?
Everything will be done to make you feel relaxed. Our voices are very precious. When we sing, speak and perform for a living it can be very alarming when something doesn't feel quite right. That's why a session is uniquely tailored to the individual by someone who knows how they may be feeling; a fellow professional singer. This enables Vocal Manual Therapy to be administered with a high level of empathy, respect and understanding with any questions that you may have answered.
Will I be standing, sitting or lying down for treatment?
The ways by which VMT is administered is one or all of the following:
- Guided Self Vocal Manual Therapy if you feel anxious about someone else touching your head, neck and laryngeal area you can, to begin with, be shown adapted guided self vocal manual therapy techniques to apply in the mirror. You will also receive a detailed explanation about various muscles to demystify their location, function and action with anatomical pictures and diagrams.
- Seated Vocal Manual Therapy Best suited for Laryngeal manipulation.
- Supine Vocal Manual Therapy Lying horizontally face up on a therapy bed. Most singers find this very comfortable. It is especially useful for VMT for head, neck and jaw muscle areas.
- Standing Vocal Manual therapy
What should I wear for the session?
Singers are treated fully clothed, with a low or V-neck top advised.
Do you wear gloves for the treatment? I have a latex allergy
Non-latex, power-free surgical gloves and mask are worn in the session by your therapist. Although treatment with bare sanitised hands without gloves is also possible if the client prefers.
Techniques are adapted to the singer's comfort level and can withdraw consent at any point to stop the session. This is a client led therapy.