Wow. The realness and unfiltered way in which you talk about your experience has connected with me so deeply. I left an abusive relationship of over 10 years, and the moment I left and released everything that I had been bottling up and hiding for years, I completely lost my voice. Singing used to be so joyful and liberating for me, and now feels like an impossible task. I believe it's due to MTD from years of suppressing and hiding the abuse. Everything you've said makes so much sense to me, and I think will be so helpful in my vocal/emotional healing journey. Thank you so much for sharing.
aw Dana thank you for sharing your story with me. I am so happy that you have left that abusive relationship and I am sorry that you've lost your voice. One piece of advice is to follow joy, fun, ease, flow... find joy in the little things.. your voice will open back up again of course.
@@LizBills Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! Your advice completely aligns with the themes that keep coming up in my recovery. Fascinating how trauma can manifest in the body and how interconnected our emotions are to our voices. Looking forward to trying the exercises and tips you've shared - it's been a total 'aha' moment for me discovering your channel!
I've had this MTD for many years despite seeing so many speech therapists and ENT doctors. Pretty severe one in terms of muscle tension in the throat/larynx. Something really peculiar happened a few days ago, I remembered how one of the physios I had seen to treat muscle tension used fingers to stretch muscles in the neck or skull.Basically stretch muscle fibers with the thumb from one hand and the index or major from the other and stretch (no need to pull hard). I decided for some reason to try it out in the larynx area since no other massage or therapy did anything against the awful tension. To my huge surprise it has been a week since my larynx is much more relaxed and my voice much better, although I have to get rid of the bad speaking habits caused by MTD. Before that I could not project the voice at all, I could barely even move the larynx by pressing on it (the side to side stretch). It almost feels miraculous that such a simple thing is more efficient on me than all the therapy I went through. Its not back to 100% normal yet but it feels so much less straining to talk now
Thank you SO much for that tip. I'm so glad you found something that helps. Still feeling any better? Also, would you mind describing in detail how I would go about doing that stretch? Thanks :)
Consistency is key. I got diagnosed with this condition in March. It was very severe (using the false chord to vocalise). I rested my vocal completely for about a week; went for speech therapy after that. I did the exercises daily; I’m a lot better now! :)
I was just diagnosed with MTD as well as a polyp on my vocal cord the other day and facing the knowledge of months and years of recovery is completely overwhelming. But I have to say your videos have really helped me not to slip into a deep depression. You're helping so many people and you should be so proud :)
Hey my friend. Don’t worry so many singers go through this and make it to the other side! Some very famous musicians have worked through voice disorders and polyps. You’ll be a better singer and a stronger human because of it I promise! Xo
You are such an inspiration! I’m a country artist from West Virginia, and I’ve had MTD since February of this year. I’ve done daily speech therapy or voice training since it started. I feel like I have all the tricks of the trade on the physical side and I just need to continue to work on my mental/emotional side. I started an anxiety medication that’s been helpful in bringing peace and less worry, but I still have some deeper digging to do to fully regain the mind to body connection. I really appreciate you!
appreciate you!! the mental/emotional side is so powerful! mine has been to ignore the pain (cuz I am now a technically trained singer) and it works! just did 3 festival shows with no burning at all, I FORGOT! WHOA!!! PRAISE!
Believe it or not, I lost my voice after getting Covid-19 and progressively got worst to the point I could barely speak. Went to an ENT with the best reviews, had several tests and still he could not find a diagnosis. That first doctor washed his hands by saying “you are just under stress, there is nothing that can be done”. After 7 months of basically not being able to speak… and no hope from the “5 star doctor”… I heard of St Blaise and asked my priest to bless my throat. I kid you not, that same day my husband calls me telling me his boss heard my case and suggested I try another doctor who cured the boss’ brother. I went to see Dr Mursalin Anis, after several tests and speech therapy he diagnosed me with spasmodic muscle dysphonia, he started injecting botox in my throat and after just a week I was able to speak again. I went back after 4 months, then 6 months, the last injection was my 3rd and my voice is basically back to normal. That doctor saved me! Thank God, and thanks to St Blaise for putting Dr Mursalin on my path 🙏🏼💖 The reason Im sharing my testimony it’s because we place more faith in doctors than God. Jesus, He saves! Ask Him for help and he will guide you to the right people and doctors🙂
Thank you for posting this, you’re brilliant.. I’m going through the SAME thing. You’re describing my experience to a T. I healed my chronic back pain through reading all the Dr Sarno books.. I started singing a few months ago and developed MTD. I just knew this was a manifestation of TMS. Your story affirms this.. thank you!!!!!
This explains a lot. I suffer migraines and anxiety and stress. I have ongoing health issues which I’m awaiting to be resolved. I just know once the stress goes I’ll be ok. So refreshing to hear this from someone.
This is awesome!! Thank you for this video. I find this super helpful as I mentally cope with having MTD. I got it when I was 16, and as a vocalist, it was especially hard. As a singer, where the state of your voice dictates your career, it's really hard to feel like you're doing "good enough" if you aren't completely healed. But I realized how much of this is mental, too, and it manifests itself physically. Thank you for the resources listed, I'll check them out!
Yes the mental component is very empowering, fascinating and HEALING! I understand how hard mtd can be as a singer in such a competitive business. ♥️ that’s why getting our mental health right is soooo helpful!! And it also changes our physical health wooooo!!!!!
I totally resonate with the obsession part, I’m doing a series on my RUclips channel to try and get my singing voice back after numerous issues with nasal inflammation, acid reflux etc. which I can’t seem to get rid of. This gives me hope!
Thought i would take the time to share my story, I remember when I first realised there was something wrong with my voice I literally couldn’t talk (if you wanna know what I sounded like it’s on my channel) and I watched your video about it was so motivating to see someone with MTD who could talk without it sounding strained or tense and that inspired me to do that for myself and 9 months later my voice is basically back to normal without it tensing up which is really good because I used to sing all the time and do acting auditions and now I can start doing them again, but I still have to do exercises everyday and look after it ☺️
Happy some one else could get through this. I suffer so much and doctors here know nothing about speech therapy...can you please recommend what should i do? Should i start it online on my own ?
@@engabdosalah3278 hey sorry for the late reply I would recommend doing daily vocal/singing exercises and I also would recommend listening to anxiety and relaxation meditation. My voice is basically back to normal now and I have zero tension. I’ll probs be posting an update on my channel soon :)
i was diagnosed with bpd aswell and other mental health issues such as ptsd and depression. inner child healing has been a complete game changer for me. life is a lot easier right now. the vocal pain is gone. on top of that, i made meditation a staple which shrinks your overactive amygdala and thus, you become a lot more calm in the long-run.
I'm so glad I found this!!! You literally have described me! Whane I get upset or start crying there comes the tension and pain in my throat. And I'd been so stressed for years! Thank you for breaking it down like this!!❤❤👍🏾😊👏🏾 Also Jesus Christ can help you with fear and stress if you choose to know Him and Trust Him!❤ He's set me free from my past and the emotional stress that came with it is melting away!
I developed MTD over a series of severely traumatizing events and haven't been able to string a whole sentence together for almost 2 years now, with these daily exercises and intensive therapy, I'm just now getting back to where I was before and it feels super liberating.
Your videos are so helpful! They give me hope and I even feel more positive. In my case it developed from my anxiety and body and mind disconnection. Thank you so much!
I have MTD too I managed to "heal"myself too for several years. For me its all about whats happening in your brain. Our brains are part of our body too, just a very complicated part. Sadly My Mother died after a long degenerative illness at the end of last year and very soon after, my vocal chords were all tensed up again. I think you Liz are much wiser than you were before (based on your old videos) and I definitly agree with everything you said. For me just having a diagnosis was a big help to me I believe there is a great power in names. Knowing the name of something gives you a power over it. Im reading A Wizard of Earthsea, at the moment so I know Im not the only one that thinks that. I definitly reccomend long walks in nature and reading books. Dont expect quick recovery, its a long slow internal battle where you have to look inside yourself and face and deal with your shit.
Thank you for sharing the Liz. The details about paying attention to pain are great. I have a shirt that says you have to feel it to heal it. It's more about dealing with anxiety and depression and not hiding it.
Oh My Gosh, such truth, and I get you girl, same same same over here. Really resonate with all the emotional correlation and personality type. You go girl, for you are amazing and I am so grateful for all you're sharing!
Hi Liz, I wondered if you'd had revisits of this? I've recovered twice without about about 18 months in between each (the bouts of MTD lasting around 6 months to a year), and now it's just returned for the third time. The hopelessness has come back all over again but you really helped me get through the first times
Liz, I love your layers. And I just wanted to say thank you for making these videos. They make me feel less alone and you're an inspiration that I can learn to live my life in spite of the pain and do the things I enjoy.
Thank you soooo much for sharing your story!!!! You are confirming all the things I thought about how I should help myself. This is the lifeline I needed!
I’ve had Muscle tension dysphonia since October 2019. It was caused by acid reflux, which was fixed by diet. But I went to speech therapy, one of the best in my area, and she eventually said she couldn’t imagine why I was improving. And she gave up on me. I’ve seen an ENT, and neurologist. Nobody can help me. I’ve followed exercises my voice coach gave And ones you mentioned and it helps a little, but I can’t speak for more than a little bit at a time. I’ve had to quit working and I’ve been living at home, and not getting to be social much. I’m just not sure what to do😅
yes! if you think about it... when we are upset, anxious, depressed.. the body gets tight.. the breath becomes shallow... shallow breathing creates poor breathing for singing and we start breathing up high in our neck and chest instead of our stomaches... and these feelings also cause poor posture. not that we shouldn't feel these things... we should feel it all, process it and release it! :) I am with a therapist now doing this... and also yoga helps a ton with posture and breath! meditation and breath work can help too, whatever works for you!
@@LizBills What is really strange for me is that I just went through COVID and currently my speaking voice is hoarse and very soft, almost like laryngitis. But as hoarse as I am, I got up and sang at a bar tonight because I had to perform for my "series." My Cinematographer didn't think I would have any voice. But to my surprise, my singing voice was clear, bright and effortless. Even before COVID, I had muscle tension dysphonia in my speaking voice. An ENT diagnosed this and sent me to therapy which has been slow. I see you recommended Yoga. Maybe that will help understand my tension and help. Thanks again.
Thanks for posting this video. I found out have MTD, a few years ago. Before, that I have always struggled with singing, by not having enough breath and my voice cutting off that causes problems with pitch accuracy. I know alot of singers and I've asked for help and was even willing to pay but no one has helped me. I would to be able to sing and record music but it gets discouraging.
I am a music artist and I've been struggling with this for a year and a half now. My insurance has been problematic so I haven't gotten much help with it besides the help I've given myself from learning on RUclips. I'm a lot better at speaking without pain and understanding how it feels to speak properly, however whenever I start singing -- no matter how relaxed, how properly I breath from my diaphragm, and sing upward it instantly starts getting tight. I want to tour so badly, but I'm afraid I'll never get to the point of being able to develop that stamina. Do you think it'll become possible for me to withstand demands like that?
I also appreciate you so much for taking the time to post these videos. You've been one of the only people on here to tell of the reality of this condition in such a positive and honestl way. So so so so so grateful for you and all they knowledge you've passed on. Wouldn't have gotten to a better spot without your help.
I've been struggling with MTD for almost two years now following a vocal injury. I'm a singer and a teacher and was already a very emotional and anxious person before this injury occured, now the terror around my voice is very difficult to manage even despite having a very seasoned therapy background and currently being in therapy. One of the biggest things I struggle with is knowing when to talk or sing through the pain. I tend to panic and lean towards silence like I did when I had my injury. I was curious if you had any advice on that. Do you tend to lean towards silence when you have pain? Does ignoring the pain mean continuing to use your voice without fear?
I think I have MTD, but my symptoms are strange. My voice sounds mostly clear, but my larynx area is tight and painful when I speak, especially on the phone or in loud environments. I have received two laryngoscopes, a vocal stroboscopy, and an endoscopy, which all noted no injuries. The initial scope found some acid reflux, but later scopes no longer saw the reflux symptoms, especially after I changed my diet and stopped eating within 3 hours of bedtime. Despite all this, the symptoms of tightness and pain remain. I did do a 4 week stint with a SLP, but it did not help much.
Hey my friend, I'm so sorry you're struggling, I've been there. My first SLP didn't help either... I had to find a SLP who specialized in singing and who could see me every week, we didn't stop sessions until I felt I was ready... I think I went for a few months. I highly recommend finding a new SLP! Try addressing the tension. Try my laryngeal massage video - ruclips.net/video/HbQOCB9bO6g/видео.html self massage - ruclips.net/video/0reR_UYxRJ4/видео.html start doing breath work meditations on RUclips, start doing yoga. It's tension, you have to work on developing awareness and the ability to release it. I'm here for you!
I have been suffering with what I think is MTD (never had an official diagnosis despite seeing several speech therapists) since 2015. It started after I was on holiday and my hotel room was broken into, causing me to scream and lose my voice. When my voice came back after a couple of days it has not been the same since. I lose my voice very easily and can no longer sing more than one or two songs without losing my voice (I used to love singing). Are you able to offer any private lessons/support?
I still had MTD since 2014 since I first got it. I am not going to Just rely on botox because the affect is wearing off. I want to do something About this by doing vocal therapy in which I can do this online. I want to be able to read with my voice without tightening up.
@@alexdannunzio2517 The botox I had over the course of 6 years has helped me greatly. It is a lot easier to speak but my voice still drops in quality. I still need further treatment because it is still difficult to speak at times and is frustrating.
@@Ron-and-Cobba. Thank You. I am getting it done in November. I am hoping it helps me out. I have MTD and my main symptom is extreme pain and tightness when I speak.
@@alexdannunzio2517 I never would of got this voice condition if I kept taking my medication. Coming off medication caused the relapse disorder. I hate myself for coming off it. I made a big mistake.
I had Covid in Jan, my voice started getting breathy and I can’t sing anymore or talk in a quiet voice, for 6 months, I can’t belt or do twang exercises, i try straw exercises but it wasn’t helping me ):
Hi Liz, thank you for this video. Could you link the RUclips teacher below who you mentioned had good videos for people who cannot afford vocal lessons.
it's important but just one of the pieces. Good posture means that your neck and head are free and it is easy to sing and speak. Good posture also means better mental health. Yoga really helps me to correct my posture and other major benefits too! :) I recommend doing yoga for posture correction, to work on the breath, to practice mind and body connection, so many benefits!
I was diagnosed with MTD. I cured mine with acupuncture and yoga. Yoga for my mental health, acupuncture for both my mental and physical Health. 15 sessions of acupuncture (once a week) did the job. Now I do yoga and meditation regularly to keep my anxiety in check. Try acupuncture! It addresses the muscles directly. All the best to you🧡
@@AnaLozah was there a particular type of acupuncture that was performed or are they all the same? How many sessions did it take for you to be healed and notice a difference? - JB🎷
@@jbsax 1) I had about 15 sessions.. my benefits ran out and 4/5 of them were out of pocket...so it can get pricey but I'm telling you, it works. 2) There was no specific type of acupuncture that I got. My acupuncturist took my entire health history (mental and physical so anxiety etc) and basically figured out the best areas that needed healing. Everything is interconnected. MTD is a mental and physical issue. So she treated my throat by sticking needles in my stomach, shoulders, arms, hands, feet and face. I went once a week, consistently.. it's been 3 months since I've gone back because my insurance ran out but now, I only need to go once a month. Make sure you look up the best acupuncturist, read their reviews.. because they have to really understand the physiology in order to help you. All the best 😊💕🙏🏾
My throat burns all the time. I have recovered my voice, but my throat stays " hot" and burns. I remember you said in a video you have burning. Was it just when talking or all of the time?
Yes I had burning when I talked a lot. Do you think the burning is connected to your speaking? Does the burning start because of speech? Or is it just always burning?
Liz when i suffered from anxiety in 2016-2019 in 2016 i was just 16 years old girl i had not much power in my body and mind to bear all that pain. my life was too hard for me at that time my mom was suffering from bipolar and schizophrenia so all that anxiety disturbed me so much that i developed mtd and after all that even life becomes better now but as a result of all that struggle i am suffering from mtd. I don't live in a good country here doctors ent are not good standard. I am just dealing with this problem alone no professional help. Can you please make more easy stuff videos what can i do at home to deal with it? Maybe your yoga routine or whatever you want to share that can help me
@@deepaknaik5124 i am very sick, this muscle tension dysphonia is the only thing i think all day i am in too much fear that i will never recover from this mtd, i am in pain mentally and physically too
@@tadaaaa4020 I can understand since I'm too going the same phase .. even I'm having it since 1.5 yrs .. I think the only way to control it is by controlling our anxious mind.. stay calm all the time .. try breathing excersice .. good days are gonna come for sure
I was diagnosed with MTD. I cured mine with acupuncture and yoga. Yoga for my mental health, acupuncture for both my mental and physical Health. 15 sessions of acupuncture (once a week) did the job. Now I do yoga and meditation regularly to keep my anxiety in check. Try acupuncture! It addresses the muscles directly. All the best to you🧡
How can you fire a speech therapist???????? If you are very very lucky you might be assigned one at the hospital. How can you fire them? They aren't working for you!
they are working for us. when I "fire" a doctor all I am doing is saying no thank you I would like to see someone else. Unfortunately our medical system is broken, we have to be our own health advocates. If you don't like your doctor find a new doctor. We don't have to stick with doctors we don't like and we shouldn't have to.
with MTD? 100 percent I do! Vocal lessons have saved my voice, changed my voice for the better and now that I have solid technique I have such control and power over my voice.
Hii Liz please help me IAM a singer but for the last 7 months my voice is not working properly doctor always said acid reflux but medicine not work. Can I send u my stroboscopy video? plz tell me whats the problem
Hey Kalash, If you cannot see a speech therapist and vocal coach please watch my MTD videos to help retrain your voice. That should help. I will also officially be launching this channel so I'll be releasing two videos a week starting in November! in the meantime check out all of my videos, I have many vocal exercises you can use to help heal.
@@LizBills It hurts when I sing or speak: But even when I am silent, it hurts all day. Is this mtd or not. Doctor tells nothing gone wrong. Are u have the same symptoms when you suffers from this?
@@kalash6936 It's hard for me to say if I had the same symptoms. Do any of the exercises I offer help your body to be in less pain? You will have to book a session with me and I'll have to listen to you and talk to you, I can't really say on here via RUclips message. email me- lizbills1@Gmail.com
Wow. The realness and unfiltered way in which you talk about your experience has connected with me so deeply. I left an abusive relationship of over 10 years, and the moment I left and released everything that I had been bottling up and hiding for years, I completely lost my voice. Singing used to be so joyful and liberating for me, and now feels like an impossible task. I believe it's due to MTD from years of suppressing and hiding the abuse. Everything you've said makes so much sense to me, and I think will be so helpful in my vocal/emotional healing journey. Thank you so much for sharing.
aw Dana thank you for sharing your story with me. I am so happy that you have left that abusive relationship and I am sorry that you've lost your voice. One piece of advice is to follow joy, fun, ease, flow... find joy in the little things.. your voice will open back up again of course.
@@LizBills Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! Your advice completely aligns with the themes that keep coming up in my recovery. Fascinating how trauma can manifest in the body and how interconnected our emotions are to our voices. Looking forward to trying the exercises and tips you've shared - it's been a total 'aha' moment for me discovering your channel!
I've had this MTD for many years despite seeing so many speech therapists and ENT doctors. Pretty severe one in terms of muscle tension in the throat/larynx. Something really peculiar happened a few days ago, I remembered how one of the physios I had seen to treat muscle tension used fingers to stretch muscles in the neck or skull.Basically stretch muscle fibers with the thumb from one hand and the index or major from the other and stretch (no need to pull hard). I decided for some reason to try it out in the larynx area since no other massage or therapy did anything against the awful tension. To my huge surprise it has been a week since my larynx is much more relaxed and my voice much better, although I have to get rid of the bad speaking habits caused by MTD. Before that I could not project the voice at all, I could barely even move the larynx by pressing on it (the side to side stretch). It almost feels miraculous that such a simple thing is more efficient on me than all the therapy I went through. Its not back to 100% normal yet but it feels so much less straining to talk now
Thank you SO much for that tip. I'm so glad you found something that helps. Still feeling any better?
Also, would you mind describing in detail how I would go about doing that stretch? Thanks :)
Could you explain how to do this please?
Consistency is key.
I got diagnosed with this condition in March. It was very severe (using the false chord to vocalise).
I rested my vocal completely for about a week; went for speech therapy after that. I did the exercises daily; I’m a lot better now! :)
I was just diagnosed with MTD as well as a polyp on my vocal cord the other day and facing the knowledge of months and years of recovery is completely overwhelming. But I have to say your videos have really helped me not to slip into a deep depression. You're helping so many people and you should be so proud :)
Hey my friend. Don’t worry so many singers go through this and make it to the other side! Some very famous musicians have worked through voice disorders and polyps. You’ll be a better singer and a stronger human because of it I promise! Xo
How you feel now?
You are such an inspiration! I’m a country artist from West Virginia, and I’ve had MTD since February of this year. I’ve done daily speech therapy or voice training since it started. I feel like I have all the tricks of the trade on the physical side and I just need to continue to work on my mental/emotional side. I started an anxiety medication that’s been helpful in bringing peace and less worry, but I still have some deeper digging to do to fully regain the mind to body connection. I really appreciate you!
appreciate you!! the mental/emotional side is so powerful! mine has been to ignore the pain (cuz I am now a technically trained singer) and it works! just did 3 festival shows with no burning at all, I FORGOT! WHOA!!! PRAISE!
@@LizBills That's great Liz!! I am so happy for you. And it also inspires me to hope
Believe it or not, I lost my voice after getting Covid-19 and progressively got worst to the point I could barely speak.
Went to an ENT with the best reviews, had several tests and still he could not find a diagnosis. That first doctor washed his hands by saying “you are just under stress, there is nothing that can be done”. After 7 months of basically not being able to speak… and no hope from the “5 star doctor”… I heard of St Blaise and asked my priest to bless my throat. I kid you not, that same day my husband calls me telling me his boss heard my case and suggested I try another doctor who cured the boss’ brother. I went to see Dr Mursalin Anis, after several tests and speech therapy he diagnosed me with spasmodic muscle dysphonia, he started injecting botox in my throat and after just a week I was able to speak again. I went back after 4 months, then 6 months, the last injection was my 3rd and my voice is basically back to normal.
That doctor saved me! Thank God, and thanks to St Blaise for putting Dr Mursalin on my path 🙏🏼💖
The reason Im sharing my testimony it’s because we place more faith in doctors than God.
Jesus, He saves! Ask Him for help and he will guide you to the right people and doctors🙂
Thank you for posting this, you’re brilliant.. I’m going through the SAME thing. You’re describing my experience to a T. I healed my chronic back pain through reading all the Dr Sarno books.. I started singing a few months ago and developed MTD. I just knew this was a manifestation of TMS. Your story affirms this.. thank you!!!!!
This explains a lot. I suffer migraines and anxiety and stress. I have ongoing health issues which I’m awaiting to be resolved. I just know once the stress goes I’ll be ok. So refreshing to hear this from someone.
This is awesome!! Thank you for this video. I find this super helpful as I mentally cope with having MTD. I got it when I was 16, and as a vocalist, it was especially hard. As a singer, where the state of your voice dictates your career, it's really hard to feel like you're doing "good enough" if you aren't completely healed. But I realized how much of this is mental, too, and it manifests itself physically. Thank you for the resources listed, I'll check them out!
Yes the mental component is very empowering, fascinating and HEALING! I understand how hard mtd can be as a singer in such a competitive business. ♥️ that’s why getting our mental health right is soooo helpful!! And it also changes our physical health wooooo!!!!!
I totally resonate with the obsession part, I’m doing a series on my RUclips channel to try and get my singing voice back after numerous issues with nasal inflammation, acid reflux etc. which I can’t seem to get rid of. This gives me hope!
Thought i would take the time to share my story, I remember when I first realised there was something wrong with my voice I literally couldn’t talk (if you wanna know what I sounded like it’s on my channel) and I watched your video about it was so motivating to see someone with MTD who could talk without it sounding strained or tense and that inspired me to do that for myself and 9 months later my voice is basically back to normal without it tensing up which is really good because I used to sing all the time and do acting auditions and now I can start doing them again, but I still have to do exercises everyday and look after it ☺️
Happy some one else could get through this. I suffer so much and doctors here know nothing about speech therapy...can you please recommend what should i do? Should i start it online on my own ?
@@engabdosalah3278 hey sorry for the late reply I would recommend doing daily vocal/singing exercises and I also would recommend listening to anxiety and relaxation meditation. My voice is basically back to normal now and I have zero tension. I’ll probs be posting an update on my channel soon :)
Is mtd cured completely??please reply
@@debalina8221 yeah it has For both my singing voice and speaking voice I rarely have to think about my voice anymore ✨
@@b3llie921 thanks ...❤❤
It's surprising how few people there are discussing this. I appreciate your videos, and your bright smile, and your cat.
i was diagnosed with bpd aswell and other mental health issues such as ptsd and depression.
inner child healing has been a complete game changer for me. life is a lot easier right now. the vocal pain is gone. on top of that, i made meditation a staple which shrinks your overactive amygdala and thus, you become a lot more calm in the long-run.
I'm so glad I found this!!! You literally have described me! Whane I get upset or start crying there comes the tension and pain in my throat. And I'd been so stressed for years! Thank you for breaking it down like this!!❤❤👍🏾😊👏🏾 Also Jesus Christ can help you with fear and stress if you choose to know Him and Trust Him!❤ He's set me free from my past and the emotional stress that came with it is melting away!
So happy to help! and yes yes yes! Spirituality and God have helped me so so much.
I developed MTD over a series of severely traumatizing events and haven't been able to string a whole sentence together for almost 2 years now, with these daily exercises and intensive therapy, I'm just now getting back to where I was before and it feels super liberating.
Your videos are so helpful! They give me hope and I even feel more positive. In my case it developed from my anxiety and body and mind disconnection. Thank you so much!
Yes mine too! I’m so happy to help lift your spirits! There is so much hope and healing to be had!! Yay!!!
I have MTD too I managed to
"heal"myself too for several years. For me its all about whats happening in your brain. Our brains are part of our body too, just a very complicated part. Sadly My Mother died after a long degenerative illness at the end of last year and very soon after, my vocal chords were all tensed up again. I think you Liz are much wiser than you were before (based on your old videos) and I definitly agree with everything you said. For me just having a diagnosis was a big help to me I believe there is a great power in names. Knowing the name of something gives you a power over it. Im reading A Wizard of Earthsea, at the moment so I know Im not the only one that thinks that. I definitly reccomend long walks in nature and reading books. Dont expect quick recovery, its a long slow internal battle where you have to look inside yourself and face and deal with your shit.
I’m so sorry about your mama. ❤️ and yes I agree! The power of the mind AND body! Wild!!!
Thank you for sharing the Liz. The details about paying attention to pain are great. I have a shirt that says you have to feel it to heal it. It's more about dealing with anxiety and depression and not hiding it.
Yesss! I honor my feelings, express them and uncover them… then my work is to let go
@@LizBills ❤️
Oh My Gosh, such truth, and I get you girl, same same same over here. Really resonate with all the emotional correlation and personality type. You go girl, for you are amazing and I am so grateful for all you're sharing!
Hi Liz, I wondered if you'd had revisits of this? I've recovered twice without about about 18 months in between each (the bouts of MTD lasting around 6 months to a year), and now it's just returned for the third time. The hopelessness has come back all over again but you really helped me get through the first times
Thank you for bestowing us with your wisdom ❤
Liz, I love your layers. And I just wanted to say thank you for making these videos. They make me feel less alone and you're an inspiration that I can learn to live my life in spite of the pain and do the things I enjoy.
Thank you for the love Macy! And yes our pain doesn’t have to control our lives! We can take the wheel and drive and wow what a ride!!
Thank you soooo much for sharing your story!!!! You are confirming all the things I thought about how I should help myself. This is the lifeline I needed!
thank you for all your words ❤️
I’ve had Muscle tension dysphonia since October 2019. It was caused by acid reflux, which was fixed by diet. But I went to speech therapy, one of the best in my area, and she eventually said she couldn’t imagine why I was improving. And she gave up on me. I’ve seen an ENT, and neurologist. Nobody can help me. I’ve followed exercises my voice coach gave And ones you mentioned and it helps a little, but I can’t speak for more than a little bit at a time. I’ve had to quit working and I’ve been living at home, and not getting to be social much. I’m just not sure what to do😅
Thanks for posting. Never thought about the emotional side or that it could worsen the symptoms.
yes! if you think about it... when we are upset, anxious, depressed.. the body gets tight.. the breath becomes shallow... shallow breathing creates poor breathing for singing and we start breathing up high in our neck and chest instead of our stomaches... and these feelings also cause poor posture. not that we shouldn't feel these things... we should feel it all, process it and release it! :) I am with a therapist now doing this... and also yoga helps a ton with posture and breath! meditation and breath work can help too, whatever works for you!
@@LizBills What is really strange for me is that I just went through COVID and currently my speaking voice is hoarse and very soft, almost like laryngitis. But as hoarse as I am, I got up and sang at a bar tonight because I had to perform for my "series." My Cinematographer didn't think I would have any voice. But to my surprise, my singing voice was clear, bright and effortless. Even before COVID, I had muscle tension dysphonia in my speaking voice. An ENT diagnosed this and sent me to therapy which has been slow. I see you recommended Yoga. Maybe that will help understand my tension and help. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for bringing awareness to TMS.
Thanks for posting this video. I found out have MTD, a few years ago. Before, that I have always struggled with singing, by not having enough breath and my voice cutting off that causes problems with pitch accuracy. I know alot of singers and I've asked for help and was even willing to pay but no one has helped me. I would to be able to sing and record music but it gets discouraging.
I am a music artist and I've been struggling with this for a year and a half now. My insurance has been problematic so I haven't gotten much help with it besides the help I've given myself from learning on RUclips. I'm a lot better at speaking without pain and understanding how it feels to speak properly, however whenever I start singing -- no matter how relaxed, how properly I breath from my diaphragm, and sing upward it instantly starts getting tight. I want to tour so badly, but I'm afraid I'll never get to the point of being able to develop that stamina. Do you think it'll become possible for me to withstand demands like that?
I also appreciate you so much for taking the time to post these videos. You've been one of the only people on here to tell of the reality of this condition in such a positive and honestl way. So so so so so grateful for you and all they knowledge you've passed on. Wouldn't have gotten to a better spot without your help.
I love you! Thank you so much for making these videos!
Thanks for this video 🤍
You are a light
She is💛
Love you!
I've been struggling with MTD for almost two years now following a vocal injury. I'm a singer and a teacher and was already a very emotional and anxious person before this injury occured, now the terror around my voice is very difficult to manage even despite having a very seasoned therapy background and currently being in therapy. One of the biggest things I struggle with is knowing when to talk or sing through the pain. I tend to panic and lean towards silence like I did when I had my injury. I was curious if you had any advice on that. Do you tend to lean towards silence when you have pain? Does ignoring the pain mean continuing to use your voice without fear?
Hey my friend. I know exactly what you are going through.
Great info!
thanks my friend!
I think I have MTD, but my symptoms are strange. My voice sounds mostly clear, but my larynx area is tight and painful when I speak, especially on the phone or in loud environments. I have received two laryngoscopes, a vocal stroboscopy, and an endoscopy, which all noted no injuries. The initial scope found some acid reflux, but later scopes no longer saw the reflux symptoms, especially after I changed my diet and stopped eating within 3 hours of bedtime. Despite all this, the symptoms of tightness and pain remain. I did do a 4 week stint with a SLP, but it did not help much.
Hey my friend, I'm so sorry you're struggling, I've been there. My first SLP didn't help either... I had to find a SLP who specialized in singing and who could see me every week, we didn't stop sessions until I felt I was ready... I think I went for a few months. I highly recommend finding a new SLP! Try addressing the tension. Try my laryngeal massage video - ruclips.net/video/HbQOCB9bO6g/видео.html
self massage - ruclips.net/video/0reR_UYxRJ4/видео.html
start doing breath work meditations on RUclips, start doing yoga. It's tension, you have to work on developing awareness and the ability to release it. I'm here for you!
thankyou❤️
Hello… Dysphonia plicae ventricularis - has effected my high singing falsetto voice, will speech therapy fix restore my voice fully?
do you teach students mouth breathing on mic live like you do end of concert last song?
I have been suffering with what I think is MTD (never had an official diagnosis despite seeing several speech therapists) since 2015. It started after I was on holiday and my hotel room was broken into, causing me to scream and lose my voice. When my voice came back after a couple of days it has not been the same since. I lose my voice very easily and can no longer sing more than one or two songs without losing my voice (I used to love singing). Are you able to offer any private lessons/support?
I’m so sorry you went through that! Do you feel like your MTD has an emotional component to it because of the trauma?
He’s email me - lizbills1@gmail.com
Some help fellas
How important are breathing exercise in regaining my voice.
Appreciate your time :)
breathing exercises are the most important exercises.
@@LizBills thanks a ton Liz!
It really means a lot to me
It really does
I Love You
I still had MTD since 2014 since I first got it. I am not going to Just rely on botox because the affect is wearing off. I want to do something About this by doing vocal therapy in which I can do this online. I want to be able to read with my voice without tightening up.
Did the laryngeal botox procedure help you?
@@alexdannunzio2517 The botox I had over the course of 6 years has helped me greatly. It is a lot easier to speak but my voice still drops in quality. I still need further treatment because it is still difficult to speak at times and is frustrating.
@@Ron-and-Cobba. Thank You. I am getting it done in November. I am hoping it helps me out. I have MTD and my main symptom is extreme pain and tightness when I speak.
@@alexdannunzio2517 I never would of got this voice condition if I kept taking my medication. Coming off medication caused the relapse disorder. I hate myself for coming off it. I made a big mistake.
@@alexdannunzio2517 anytime. I hope your condition improves. :)
I had Covid in Jan, my voice started getting breathy and I can’t sing anymore or talk in a quiet voice, for 6 months, I can’t belt or do twang exercises, i try straw exercises but it wasn’t helping me ):
Can you go to an ENT and get a speech therapist? Straw doesn’t work for everyone but you can def heal this. You need support and help.
Hi Liz, I'm hoping to find an online support group for persons with MTD. Do you know of any?
Hi Liz, thank you for this video. Could you link the RUclips teacher below who you mentioned had good videos for people who cannot afford vocal lessons.
yes I just did! :)
Awesome thank you so much 🙌🏾
@@LizBills hey Liz I couldn't see the link fir vocal lessons. Could you guide me in the right direction please. I'm very grateful fir your sharing.
Pls tell us name of medicines you use during your MTD treatment
Hi Liz, do you have a contact you’re willing to share? I have a couple questions for dysphonia! 😊
Lizbills1@gmail.com
hey Liz! how important is posture for healing from muscle tension dysphonia? thanks and keep up the awesome work! :)
it's important but just one of the pieces. Good posture means that your neck and head are free and it is easy to sing and speak. Good posture also means better mental health. Yoga really helps me to correct my posture and other major benefits too! :) I recommend doing yoga for posture correction, to work on the breath, to practice mind and body connection, so many benefits!
I was diagnosed with MTD. I cured mine with acupuncture and yoga. Yoga for my mental health, acupuncture for both my mental and physical Health. 15 sessions of acupuncture (once a week) did the job. Now I do yoga and meditation regularly to keep my anxiety in check. Try acupuncture! It addresses the muscles directly. All the best to you🧡
@@AnaLozah was there a particular type of acupuncture that was performed or are they all the same? How many sessions did it take for you to be healed and notice a difference? - JB🎷
@@jbsax 1) I had about 15 sessions.. my benefits ran out and 4/5 of them were out of pocket...so it can get pricey but I'm telling you, it works. 2) There was no specific type of acupuncture that I got. My acupuncturist took my entire health history (mental and physical so anxiety etc) and basically figured out the best areas that needed healing. Everything is interconnected. MTD is a mental and physical issue. So she treated my throat by sticking needles in my stomach, shoulders, arms, hands, feet and face. I went once a week, consistently.. it's been 3 months since I've gone back because my insurance ran out but now, I only need to go once a month. Make sure you look up the best acupuncturist, read their reviews.. because they have to really understand the physiology in order to help you. All the best 😊💕🙏🏾
@@AnaLozah thank you so much for this info. It's definitely worth a shot -JB🎷
Do you offer online voice lessons with voice therapy combined?
My throat burns all the time. I have recovered my voice, but my throat stays " hot" and burns. I remember you said in a video you have burning. Was it just when talking or all of the time?
Yes I had burning when I talked a lot. Do you think the burning is connected to your speaking? Does the burning start because of speech? Or is it just always burning?
I was diagnosed today at Mass Eye and Ear. Can I talk with you sometime?
What are the symptoms of mtd. I have abnormal muscle movements and feels soft tissues texture damaged. I just been diagnosed after seeing 7 ent drs.
Everyone’s different. I have burning and tightness when I experience mtd. ♥️
If it’s mtd your tissues are probably not damaged. It is muscle tension. You can heal.
I am a singer. I have Dystonia in my larynx. I can't speak 2 years. HELP!
can you find a speech therapist to help?
can i be like before with treatment?
Liz when i suffered from anxiety in 2016-2019 in 2016 i was just 16 years old girl i had not much power in my body and mind to bear all that pain. my life was too hard for me at that time my mom was suffering from bipolar and schizophrenia so all that anxiety disturbed me so much that i developed mtd and after all that even life becomes better now but as a result of all that struggle i am suffering from mtd. I don't live in a good country here doctors ent are not good standard. I am just dealing with this problem alone no professional help. Can you please make more easy stuff videos what can i do at home to deal with it? Maybe your yoga routine or whatever you want to share that can help me
How is ur throat now?
@@deepaknaik5124 i am very sick, this muscle tension dysphonia is the only thing i think all day i am in too much fear that i will never recover from this mtd, i am in pain mentally and physically too
@@tadaaaa4020 I can understand since I'm too going the same phase .. even I'm having it since 1.5 yrs .. I think the only way to control it is by controlling our anxious mind.. stay calm all the time .. try breathing excersice .. good days are gonna come for sure
@@deepaknaik5124 i am trying so hard to calm myself but when i think that mtd is life long this anxiety is so bad its so hard for me to calm
@@tadaaaa4020 does you throat hurt only when talking and singing .. or it hurts during ur daily activities a s well??
It my voice sound queit than before it is dysphonia?
You encourage meI am also now sa days MTD patient and want to know you use madeicin plz tell me name and Quantity you use
I was diagnosed with MTD. I cured mine with acupuncture and yoga. Yoga for my mental health, acupuncture for both my mental and physical Health. 15 sessions of acupuncture (once a week) did the job. Now I do yoga and meditation regularly to keep my anxiety in check. Try acupuncture! It addresses the muscles directly. All the best to you🧡
How can you fire a speech therapist???????? If you are very very lucky you might be assigned one at the hospital. How can you fire them? They aren't working for you!
they are working for us. when I "fire" a doctor all I am doing is saying no thank you I would like to see someone else. Unfortunately our medical system is broken, we have to be our own health advocates. If you don't like your doctor find a new doctor. We don't have to stick with doctors we don't like and we shouldn't have to.
Do you think vocal lessons really help with this!?
with MTD? 100 percent I do! Vocal lessons have saved my voice, changed my voice for the better and now that I have solid technique I have such control and power over my voice.
is this heavy mouth breathing?
Hii Liz please help me IAM a singer but for the last 7 months my voice is not working properly doctor always said acid reflux but medicine not work. Can I send u my stroboscopy video? plz tell me whats the problem
Hey Kalash, If you cannot see a speech therapist and vocal coach please watch my MTD videos to help retrain your voice. That should help. I will also officially be launching this channel so I'll be releasing two videos a week starting in November! in the meantime check out all of my videos, I have many vocal exercises you can use to help heal.
@@LizBills It hurts when I sing or speak: But even when I am silent, it hurts all day. Is this mtd or not. Doctor tells nothing gone wrong. Are u have the same symptoms when you suffers from this?
@@kalash6936 It's hard for me to say if I had the same symptoms. Do any of the exercises I offer help your body to be in less pain? You will have to book a session with me and I'll have to listen to you and talk to you, I can't really say on here via RUclips message. email me- lizbills1@Gmail.com
No pain but raspiness and can’t speak at times.
Retrain your voice my friend! 🫶🏻 speech therapy really helps!! If it’s not helping find a new therapist.