Q: My music teacher goes to a chiropractor to keep her voice in shape.

How does a chiropractor help your voice?

A: The nervous system has influence over every cell tissue and organ in the body including the throat.

Your voice requires multiple muscle groups to be functioning in order to produce various pitches, tones and volumes.

Singers can strain these muscles with over use exertion or improper breathing from the diaphragm. The sprained muscles of the throat are similar to any sprained muscles in your body. They swell, retain fluid and get sore. Initially, (first 48 hours) apply ice to reduce inflammation. Additional treatment involves muscle balancing as well as re-positioning of the hyoid bone, which is a seasmoid bone

(not directly attached to any other bones). Bones within the palate, specifically the sphenoid bone can effect voice functions. Also, commonly, the cervical spine will develop vertebral subluxations which irritate nerve supply to the function of the throat and voice. Chiropractors specialize in correction vertebral subluxations and that is why your music teacher seeks chiropractic care to assist in correcting her voice condition.

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