Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) Exercises

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), is also known as paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM).

The best treatment for VCD is speech therapy with specific voice and breathing exercises. It is important to rest the voice, drink fluids, reduce exposure to triggers when possible, and reduce stress. Keep a list of what you are doing when the VCD occurs. Listed below are 3 exercises that help patients relax the vocal cords.

-- Relaxed-Throat Breathing Exercise: 1. double-sniff inhale, 2. exhale through pursed lips

Sniff in through the nose slowly, twice (visualize smelling a flower) and gently exhale through pursed lips (visualize blowing out a candle). Count to 4 on the exhale.

Train deep inhalations and long exhalations. Repeat 10 times and practice 3 times a day so you will know how to do it well when VCD occurs.

Practice releasing the exhaled air saying a soft ‘‘s,’’ ‘‘sh,’’ or ‘‘f’’.

In the video below, a speech pathologist from Nemours Children's Health System shows how to do rescue breaths for vocal cord attacks, teaching the “rescue breath”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKHd935oRBg

-- Paused breathing

Sit in a position that allows your neck and shoulders to relax but keep your back straight. Breathe in gently through the nose. Stick your tongue out of your mouth, past the teeth and lower lip, in preparation to exhale. This forward stretch of the tongue helps to open the airway at the vocal cords. This may be difficult to do with a severe spasm but will be easier the more you repeat this exercise. With the tongue out, exhale only through the mouth in slow, paused or spaced breaths. The timing should be like saying "Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha", very slowly. Don’t use your voice, just breathe out. Repeat 10 times and practice 3 times a day so you will know how to do it well when VCD occurs.

-- Belly breathing

Sit in a position that allows your neck and shoulders to relax but keep your back straight. Place your hand on your belly. Breathe in gently through the nose with your belly pushing your hand outward from your body. As you start to exhale, place the tip of your tongue where your upper teeth meet the roof of your mouth. This will allow you to make a hissing or “S” sound as you exhale. This creates a back pressure to help keep the airway open. Slowly exhale allowing the hand & belly to move inward to a resting position and make the hissing or “S” sound as you push the air between your tongue & teeth. Repeat 10 times and practice 3 times a day so you will know how to do it well when VCD occurs.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164364/ 

https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/137782-treatment 

https://azsneeze.com/vocal-cord-dysfunction-breathing-exercises/