Abstract
This document contains a literature review reporting on the origin, development, and comparative techniques of laryngeal massage and its application. One instance of recent research into self-applied laryngeal massage for singers is reported on. An appendix of additional information on how massage is generally understood to work, when applied by a trained therapist or when self-applied, is included to enrich the reader’s understanding of the topic of laryngeal massage as related to other massage modalities. Furthermore, the document contains the results, both narratively and graphically, of a survey of ninety-five speech pathologists reporting on the methods and practices they use to administer laryngeal massage on singers and, in a similar regard, if and how speech language-pathologists teach singers to self-apply laryngeal massage with comments on perceived pitfalls on teaching singers to apply self-massage.
The survey results indicate that, of those therapists who responded to the survey: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) sometimes administer laryngeal massage for reasons other than muscular tension, such as warming up, optimizing range, increasing vocal awareness, and facilitating singing technique. Most SLPs learned laryngeal massage techniques from in-person workshops, during their university training, or from a peer. Most SLPs practice an eclectic combination of laryngeal massage techniques. Most SLPs typically administer laryngeal massage the same on singers as non-singer patients, with some altering the technique to focus on the needs of the singer. The majority of SLPs administer laryngeal massage on singer-patients for between five and ten minutes. A large majority of SLPs recommend singer-patients self-administer laryngeal massage as part of their care routine, and mostly teach them similar techniques as performed during therapy. The typical duration of instruction in laryngeal massage techniques is between one and ten minutes; most of the time, singer-patients are able to competently learn and comply with the techniques, but sometimes struggle to identify anatomical landmarks, predominantly the thyrohyoid notch. SLPs use handouts and videos, principally self-made, to supplement the instruction of laryngeal massage techniques.
As a supplement to the perspectives provided by SLPs on teaching singers about the application of laryngeal self-massage, an interview with a licensed massage therapist who is not an SLP is included. It contains comments regarding the education of patients in the administration of massage for self-care.