|
[ TMJ Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |
Hi I am a 33 year old opera singer who has been having vocal problems for the last 3 years. I lost the top of my voice which seemed to coincide with numerous events - appendectomy, 2 car crashes, family problems so lots of stress. When I was 18 I was diagnosed with TMJ which at the time had a serious affect on my voice as I couldn't open my mouth at all for three weeks. I was told I had a slight malformation on the left hand side but I would grow out of the TMJ by the time I was 26. No treatment was given.
From 22 onwards my rib joints and my neck started to stiffen. I had osteopathy and chiropractic treatment due to my neck and back and ribs seizing up.At 24 I had cortizone injections in to my rib joints to try and loosen them. At 26 I started to have quite a successful career at a World famous opera house. In 1997 before a debut I collapsed with a so called panic attack - I had been tight chested for a couple of weeks which culminated in the world spinning so fast I couldn't stand up - my sugar levels were very low.I went to a homeopath who told me to cut out dairy and things containing sugar and yeast. My back joints loosened
gradually as I progressed with the diet. In 1998 and 1999 I had two car crashes - the last one I was severely concussed. In March 1999 I had my appendix out. In December 1999 my voice was in a real mess. I had absolutely no top to it and had started to get muscle spasms in my chin and numbness down the left hand side of my face not just whilst singing. I went from specialist to specialist, chiropractor to chiropractor ended up damaging a vocal chord in 2001 as I had kept on singing hoping things would get better.
In 2002 I went to a specialist voice clinic in Southampton UK where I was told that the problems I have been having were possibly caused by TMJ. I was told to have cranial osteopathy and then to do a special singing course and then may be go to an orthodontist who specialises in singing.
The cranial osteopathy has definitely helped in the fact I have the top of my voice back but the numbness and spasming in the side of my face have just returned.
I am unsure if I should completely change my singing technique as the technique I have seems to be working.
I am pleased that the cranial ostopathy is helping but am frustrated that I don't feel I can set foot on a professional stage until my voice is 90% reliable.
At the same time as the vocal problems I have appalling fatigue which I am told is due to Candida. I am on a special diet to help and taking supplements etc.
Is the candida caused by the TMJ or the TMJ causing the breakdown in my body. My jaw is locked on the left side at the moment which I presume is causing the numbness, is that plagiocephaly?
I have searched and searched the web for articles relating to numbness in face and chin and finally in 2002 came up with TMJ and singing which is why I ended up going to a cranial osteopath. Doctors just laughed at me so I had to look at alternative medicine. In the past 10 years I have spent thousands of pounds trying to get my body strong enough to sing the amount of hours I need to but every step forward seems to bring 20 backwards.
Has anyone got any ideas?
I would appreciate any suggestions
Kind regards
In Reply to: TMJ - opera singing posted by Twid on May 23, 2003 at 11:43:22:
Hi Twid - I can send you some a health questionnaire to answer, which will give me the info that I need to give you suggestions on how "You" can reverse your health problems! If you are interested, email me at alternative.health@verizon.net and be sure to explain who you are because I do not open emails unless I recognize who they are from! * S.H.A.P.E. *
In Reply to: TMJ - opera singing posted by Twid on May 23, 2003 at 11:43:22:
Hi:
I'm a classical singer also and a voice teacher for almost 20 years. My kids are a bit antsy at the moment so please give me a day to respond and check back. Or you can email me atlasharp@hotmail.com if you'd like to compare notes. You've been through quite an ordeal and stress is surely a huge contributing factor. You don't mention the opera house where you are now, but if it's Germany, I can recommend someone fabulous and open-minded to consult.
Best wishes,
Laura
In Reply to: TMJ - opera singing posted by Twid on May 23, 2003 at 11:43:22:
Hi:
I'm a classical singer also and a voice teacher for almost 20 years. My kids are a bit antsy at the moment so please give me a day to respond and check back. Or you can email me at lasharp@hotmail.com if you'd like to compare notes. You've been through quite an ordeal and stress is surely a huge contributing factor. You don't mention the opera house where you are now, but if it's Germany, I can recommend someone fabulous and open-minded to consult.
Best wishes,
Laura
In Reply to: TMJ - opera singing posted by Twid on May 23, 2003 at 11:43:22:
Hi, Twid.
Congratulations on your efforts to resolve this on your own!
EVERYTHING you have mentioned is directly caused by severe and generalized chronic bracing. See the bracing archives and the glossary for any unfamiliar terms.
My best recommendation would be to start seeing a good Hellerworker (or Rolfer) in consultation and begin Alexander Technique and SR at once.
Let us know how you do.
The real shame is that no no one recognized this many years ago. Your life could have been so much different.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: TMJ - opera singing (Archive in bracing.) posted by Walt Stoll on May 24, 2003 at 08:44:07:
Thank you for your advice - I am trying to find a good Alexander Teacher in London.
I look forward to feeling better.
Best Wishes
Twid.
|
[ TMJ Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |