Last Updated on September 16, 2022
One of the most common reasons that your jaw may hurt when you’re singing is lack of mobility in the area. This will cause your jaw to lock up, pop, and fail to perform the technical aspects of a song. Singing requires freedom from tension of all kinds, and your body tends to store tension in many places. When your jaw is not mobile, you may experience pain and difficulty in performing your song.
Tension in the submandibular area
Many singers attempt to open their pharynx by stretching the submandibular musculature. Unfortunately, these efforts fail to achieve the desired results. Instead, singers will produce a tone that has an unnatural, timbre-degrading timbre, which is caused by tension in the jaw muscles. In addition to straining the muscles of the tongue, these efforts will also put excessive strain on the temporomandibular joint.
One of the main causes of this problem is psychological stress. Anxiety and depression can contribute to vocal strain and neck pain. A healthy lifestyle can prevent or treat vocal issues. The submandibular area is a set of muscles below the jaw and above the hyoid bone. Singing with this area strained can result in larynx pressure and fatigue.
There are several ways to assess throat tension. A vocal assessment should include examining vocal habits and positioning the tongue and jaw. When vocal cords are relaxed and free from tension, singing can be free of problems. But if they are not, the results will be poor. If you suspect that your singing is causing neck tension, the first step is to stop humming and practice opening your mouth to a wider range.
The problem is also likely to be a result of too much tension in the jaw, which may be caused by clenching or hanging too low. To determine whether you have excessive tension in your jaw, observe your breathing patterns. Notice how much your jaw moves during speech and when you sing. Also observe whether you hold your jaw too high or too low. If you’re not singing, notice how your jaw muscles are relaxed.
Misalignment of the jaw
Many singers compensate for misalignment of the jaw with their core muscles. This can cause jaw pain or tension. Additionally, too much breath pressure can also cause tension in the jaw. Singing doctors recommend seeking proper medical treatment for jaw pain. The correct jaw position is slightly angled down with the jaw wrapped back in the joints. This position can also help reduce tension in the vocal tract and allow for healthy singing.
Other treatment options include massage therapy and chiropractic care. These professionals can work on tight muscles to regain alignment and control muscle stiffness. If you want to improve your voice or become more comfortable singing, a chiropractor may be the best option for you. A massage therapist can also help control the muscles in your mouth to make them more flexible. In addition to massage therapy and chiropractic treatment, singers can also try physical manipulation or physical therapy.
If your vocal posture does not improve, it’s time to consult a dentist. If your jaw is misaligned, this can increase your risk of developing TMJ disorder. Fortunately, there are some simple treatments available to help correct the misalignment of the jaw. If you experience jaw popping or clicking, seek professional orthodontic treatment. In some cases, jaw popping is caused by infection in the mouth glands. A tumor may also affect the jaw motion.
In addition to proper alignment, breathing freely is also essential. This will free up the muscles and align the jaw in the right way. Remember, it takes practice to program new habits. Also, vocalising too early can prevent the development of sensory awareness, which is the foundation of learning and change. If you have difficulty aligning your jaw with your shoulders, your vocal folds will be affected. So, be mindful of your posture throughout the day to ensure that your vocal cords remain healthy and comfortable.
Injury to the hyoid bone
Injuries to the hyoid bone may occur in the process of singing, when the hyoid bones are hit by the voice box or a microphone. The hyoid bone is made up of bones, ligaments, and an articular disc. It is a major player in the upper neck area. Singers may also sustain injuries to the hyoid bone.
There are two clinical presentations of stylohyoid syndrome. The classical type includes a sensation of a foreign body in the throat and a symptom of dysphagia. A recurrent pain that is accompanied by facial swelling in the affected region usually increases with head and speech. Occasionally, the pain may be limited to the ear or the jaw. In some cases, however, the stylohyoid may be damaged or completely destroyed.
Injuries to the hyoid bone can also affect the vocal cords. The hyoid bone is connected to the vocal folds by an abnormal ligament known as the thyrohyoid cartilage. Its shape may be altered and cause a lowered or hoarse voice. In rare cases, the hyoid can even rupture, resulting in a vocal cord amplification.
Although there are a few anatomical variations associated with the hyoid-larynx, there are two main causes. They are genetics and age. A study of thirty-three patients with unilateral hyoid-larynx fusions revealed that the right hyoid sided fusion was more common than the left. However, in many cases, hyoid fractures can cause serious injury to the vocal cord.
Manual therapy for vocal cord injury may miss the underlying cause and result in an undiagnosed condition. Inappropriate manual therapy will lead to further injury. If the underlying cause of the singer’s voice disorder is identified, the patient will be treated with a proven treatment plan. For most patients, significant improvement is seen within one or two sessions of manual therapy. There are a number of ways to treat the vocal cord injury and avoid its ramifications.
Injury to the larynx
There are many different ways to injure the larynx, including chronic coughing, frequent throat clearing, or phonotrauma. Overuse of the voice can also result in vocal fold injury. Most voice care specialists recommend limiting voice usage during a sick period. Overuse of the voice can cause vocal fatigue, which is another cause of vocal damage. Injury to the larynx while singing should not be taken lightly.
Acute injury to the larynx is easily treated by resting the voice and drinking plenty of fluids. Long-term exposure to irritants, including cigarette smoke, can cause a small lump on the vocal cords. These should be investigated by a physician to determine whether they are cancerous. Squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous cell carcinoma are two types of laryngeal cancers. The first type is usually harmless and may go away on its own, but the second one can be severe enough to result in breathing difficulties.
Another common type of vocal injury is called a vocal hemorrhage. This type of injury results from overuse of the voice or an aggressive moment. A vocal hemorrhage can last up to two weeks and may require surgery to correct. Singers with severe vocal damage should seek the advice of a vocal therapist. During this period, singers should pay close attention to how they feel while singing and should seek medical attention when necessary.
A common symptom of injury to the larynx when singing is a loss of voice. It can also cause problems with swallowing and breathing. The damage to the larynx can be temporary or permanent. When it is severe enough, the vocal cord can become paralyzed and require tracheostomy surgery. The recovery time can be extended and improved by early rehabilitation and treatment. Additionally, recognizing the condition can help surgeons measure their performance and record it as a key performance indicator.
While vocal injuries are rarely reported, the prevalence of larynx injury is likely higher than previously thought. It is important to remember that vocal cord injuries are not the result of poor technique, as some singers may sustain an injury without being aware of it. Some injuries can occur after a sneeze or cough that is aggressive or repetitive. If you suffer from vocal cord injuries, you should consult with a laryngologist right away to ensure that you do not lose your job.
About The Author
Zeph Grant is a music fanatic. He loves all types of genres and can often be found discussing the latest album releases with friends. Zeph is also a hardcore content creator, always working on new projects in his spare time. He's an amateur food nerd, and loves knowing all sorts of random facts about food. When it comes to coffee, he's something of an expert - he knows all the best places to get a good cup of joe in town.