Laryngeal Massage for Speakers (to Release Throat Tightness)

Does your throat feel tight? Do you experience vocal tension when talking? Here is a manual approach to release throat tightness. I’ll tell you (and show you) how to use laryngeal massage to make your throat feel great again.

If you experience vocal tension when you use your voice and you don’t know how to get rid of it, learn how to administer a self-massage in 5 steps so that your voice feels free and relaxed again.

I talk about this topic frequently. In the past, I talked about the benefits of this approach for a singing voice. However, if you are a speaker, teacher, presenter, if you use your voice for talking on a job or for daily vocal tasks, like talking to friends, family, or colleagues, I want you to know that this approach is equally beneficial for a speaking voice.

I don’t want you to think that laryngeal massage is only good for singers and performing artists. No! I personally use laryngeal massage on myself almost daily to release any tension that can creep in throughout the day after hours of talking to my clients or running workshops.

If you are hearing about this technique for the very first time, let me give you a quick rundown of what it is.

What is laryngeal massage?

It is a manual approach, during which a specially trained professional, such as a voice therapist, speech-language pathologist or a massage therapist, is using hands to release tension from the muscles around your larynx, your voice box, by touching it and manipulating it.

You can have a specialist do it on your larynx or you can learn how to do it on yourself: a self-administered massage of the larynx. And if you’ve been around my block for some time, you know that I am a big believer in self-massage because you can control how much pressure you apply and how long you massage.

Rules for a laryngeal massage

Laryngeal massage is not for everyone! If you are sensitive to touch on your neck, please do not force yourself to have this experience. It’s ok, you can try other approaches to release tension from your larynx.
Only apply as much pressure as it is comfortable for you! This is not a “no pain-no gain” approach. This massage is supposed to feel good. So make it a good experience. It may feel weird if you have never done it before but it should not hurt.
Only do it for as long as it feels good for you. That can mean a few seconds for some people, or half an hour for others. I would say that a few minutes here and there throughout the day is beneficial for many people.
Avoid massaging the carotid triangle. It is a place on the front part of the neck, where important blood vessels go through, together with some nerves and lymphatic tissue. Avoid this area when massaging or applying pressure. The rule is: do not massage the pulse!

Laryngeal massage is not magic that will eliminate all your tension. This is just one way to get rid of muscle tension and the effects are usually short-term. I know that’s disappointing. You need to understand that if you are using your voice on a daily basis when talking in a way that invites tension and constriction, then reducing the tension manually has only a temporary effect. For long-term effect, learn how to use your voice in a more efficient way and improve your vocal hygiene so that your voice is free of any tension even if you use your voice all day and every day.

If you are experiencing vocal strain, tension or even pain when speaking, and you are ready to work with me towards a free, strong and confident voice, you can apply to our Vocal Freedom System coaching program. Check out this page to learn more about the program and to sign up.

Laryngeal Massage

Step 1:

Sit comfortably and align your body well. Make sure that the chin is parallel with the floor and you are not lifting the chin up or pressing it down onto your larynx.

First, find a small bone underneath your chin, called the hyoid bone. This is a U-shaped bone which is the only bone in your body that is not attached to another bone but it is connected to other structures, including your larynx, with ligaments and muscles.

Run your finger down from your chin until you hit the first bump. It is approximately in a place where your chin becomes your neck. Then, move your thumb and your pointer to the sides of this bone. Gently move it from side to side.

Step 2:

Keep your fingers on the sides of the hyoid bone that we located in the previous step. With circular motion and light pressure, start massaging these two points. Continue for a few seconds or longer if you can tolerate it.

Step 3:

Move your fingers down from the hyoid bone onto the thyroid cartilage. This is the biggest cartilage in your larynx. You can also recognize it by feeling its flat sides.

Once you find it, apply gentle pressure with your thumb and your pointer and massage it with a downward movement of the fingers. By massaging in this way, we are releasing tension and bringing the larynx down. Keep massaging it for as long as you feel comfortable.

Step 4:

Gently move the thyroid cartilage from side to side. This may be uncomfortable. If you have lots of tension, then this may be even challenging as you will work against some resistance. Apply only slight pressure, whatever feels comfortable. Be gentle with your throat!

You may feel some “clicking”, which is normal. This just means that the cartilages are rubbing against each other.

Step 5:

With your thumb and your pointer, do small circular motions on the sides of the thyroid cartilage. You can do this step silently or you can even gently hum when doing this step. Do this for as long as it feels comfortable and relaxing.

Watch this video for demonstrations: