MASSAGING THE NECK

1)I was taught how to do this some time ago. It's difficult to explain in writing but I'll have a go. Using your right hand - thumb and middle finger. Place either side of your adams apple. If you waggle from side to side you will feel clicking. Then firmly draw you finger and thumb down your neck with your head raised a little and your jaw protruding forward. Do this ten times, twice a day.

2) Thrust your jaw out as far as it will go untill it feels uncomfortable for about 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times again twice a day

3) Using a hissing sound "ssssssss" from under your tongue, breathe outwards (having initially taken a deep breath) for as long as possible until you start to turn blue! Do this 3/4 times. After this exercise you will find it easier to speak

4) Turn head to the right as far as it will go and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat this to the left and then down and then up. Don't rotate your head in a circular motion as this is bad for your neck and back muscles, always go left to right, right to left or up and down.

These excercises are fairly boring and I used them when sat in traffic or waiting in line. You get some crazy looks from people in the next car but who cares?

Another tip for good speech is to lie down when you are on the phone. I find my voice is best in bed either at night or first thing in the morning. I can only assume this is because I am perhaps more relaxed. Or maybe gravity on the vocal chords slighty affects the voice and it just improves things slightly, I don't know.

I was at work today and was chatting to a colleague in the office. We had to go out into the yard to look at something and as soon as I started to compete with the yard machinery my voice went UUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHH!! (as it does) I then launch into sign language and lift my mobile phone to my ear (although it never rang) waved goodbye to my colleague and fled in the opposite direction. Help!!

David

Thanks for the tips, they were very clear and helpful.

One trick I have been using is to run the last consonant of a word over to the next word that begins with a vowel and think of the word as beginning with that consonant. It sounds normal and works.

EX:"Peanut butter(rand) jelly"
"and(dall) you need to do is hold on to the consonant"