Perf.Problem:Trumpeter's Bulge

R. Rex Denton

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Jun 27, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/27/96

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In <31D1AE...@merle.acns.nwu.edu> C writes:

> First of all this is _not_ a joke...From what I understand, this is a problem
> that is located in the general area of either the larynx or the pharynx.
> While playing loud, this area bulges and causes pain to the throat region.
> Has anyone heard of this??? I've heard that symptoms are pain in the
> throat while playing, not being able to swallow after playing loud
> passages, and residual pain in the throat and tightness in the neck after a
> playing session. Causes could be overpracticing and from the non-medical
> information I've collected so far, it sounds as if there is no specific cure.
> I'm a woodwind player looking for any information on this topic I can find.
> I'm posting on the trumpet board simply because the name of this disorder
> would lead me to believe that more trumpeter's get this than clarinetists.
> Thanks.

The disorder is known as hyperpharyngeal dilitation. Has something to do with
the cartilage around the pharynx getting loose and floppy from the backpressure
of performing on a musical instrument. My guess is that it is much more common
than might be expected, as people like me don't have much pain associated with
the condition, although, I think I remember Michael Brecker had some of these
problems. Not to be confused with neck strain, however.

Gary Persons

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Jun 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/28/96

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I don't know anything about this other than I experience it every once
in a while. Usually when I'm overdoing it! I have (so far) recovered
by the next day.

I'll be interested in your answers.

!^NavFont02F009D0007IGHHG9E15C2

--
Gary Persons gper...@earthlink.net
06/27/96 17:34

Rob Fisch

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Jun 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/28/96

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In Article<31D1AE...@merle.acns.nwu.edu>, <cj...@merle.acns.nwu.edu> write:
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> From: C Schubert <cj...@merle.acns.nwu.edu>
> Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.trumpet
> Subject: Perf.Problem:Trumpeter's Bulge
> Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 16:42:46 -0500
> Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, US
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>
> First of all this is _not_ a joke...From what I understand, this is a problem
> that is located in the general area of either the larynx or the pharynx.
> While playing loud, this area bulges and causes pain to the throat region.
> Has anyone heard of this??? I've heard that symptoms
are pain in the
> throat while playing, not being able to swallow after
playing loud
> passages, and residual pain in the throat and tightness
in the neck after a
> playing session. Causes could be overpracticing and
from the non-medical
> information I've collected so far, it sounds as if there
is no specific cure.
> I'm a woodwind player looking for any information on
this topic I can find.
> I'm posting on the trumpet board simply because the name
of this disorder
> would lead me to believe that more trumpeter's get this
than clarinetists.
> Thanks.

This happened to me a few years ago. I got through it, but
not without a few months of some pain while playing. From
what I could gather from my family doctor (who used to
play trombone in HS), there is an area in the throat where
there is no supporting cartilage between the wind pipe and
the mouth region. At a time where I started some intense
blowing exercises just after a brief lay-off period, the
muscles in my neck stretched (more than they should). My
Doctor said you can think of it as a type of sprain (if
that makes sense?). Anyway, he suggested to practice
gingerly for while until the muscles healed (which they
did). But I have to say it was scary at the time.

Rob Fisch

John Ewing

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Jul 1, 1996, 3:00:00 AM7/1/96

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C Schubert (cj...@merle.acns.nwu.edu) wrote:
: First of all this is _not_ a joke...From what I understand, this is a problem

: that is located in the general area of either the larynx or the pharynx.
: While playing loud, this area bulges and causes pain to the throat region.
: Has anyone heard of this??? I've heard that symptoms are pain in the
: throat while playing, not being able to swallow after playing loud
: passages, and residual pain in the throat and tightness in the neck after a
: playing session. Causes could be overpracticing and from the non-medical
: information I've collected so far, it sounds as if there is no specific cure.
: I'm a woodwind player looking for any information on this topic I can find.
: I'm posting on the trumpet board simply because the name of this disorder
: would lead me to believe that more trumpeter's get this than clarinetists.
: Thanks.

I've had a feeling of tightness in my throat after long playing sessions.
My doctor was pretty much clueless - did an upper GI Xray series - barium
swallowing, etc, but nothing turned up. A friend of a friend who is a
gastroenterologist told me that the best way to check out the esophogas
is with a endoscope, but most managed care plans prefer the barium
series because it's cheaper and catches problems about 80% of the time.

I've found that at least part of my problem is a condition called reflux.
As I understand it, the valve at the opening of the stomach fails to
shut completely, resulting in stomach acids washing back into the
esophogas and causing irritation. Avoiding caffine (coffee, soda),
alcohol and eating after 8pm at night has lessened my symptoms. I'm
not a doctor - just telling you my experiences. I'd suggest seeing
a good GI specialist.

I also recall reading that Michael Brecker had some sort of throat
problem resulting from playing too hard/long. As I recall, he had some
sort of surgery and switched to a softer reed to reduce back-pressure.
He also talked about having to change his approach to playing. I think
this might have been in a back issue of WindPlayer - but I don't seem
to have it.

Good luck!
--

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Steve Johnston

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Jul 2, 1996, 3:00:00 AM7/2/96

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In article <jrewingD...@netcom.com>, jre...@netcom.com (John Ewing) writes:
>C Schubert (cj...@merle.acns.nwu.edu) wrote:
> [snip]

>
>I've found that at least part of my problem is a condition called reflux.
>As I understand it, the valve at the opening of the stomach fails to
>shut completely, resulting in stomach acids washing back into the
>esophogas and causing irritation. Avoiding caffine (coffee, soda),
>alcohol and eating after 8pm at night has lessened my symptoms. I'm
>not a doctor - just telling you my experiences. I'd suggest seeing
>a good GI specialist.
>

BTW, if you have a problem with this when you go to bed at night, you
might try elevating the head of your bed a bit. That way the stomach
acids don't flow up into your esophagus. Easier on your system than
constantly chewing antacids (which has its own set of problems).

--
johnston@Eng (Steve Johnston)

gardyloo!

Bill Kuykendall

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Jul 3, 1996, 3:00:00 AM7/3/96

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You might check with oboe players, too. They have a considerable
amount of pressure on their horns.

Eric M. Berlin

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Jul 3, 1996, 3:00:00 AM7/3/96

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I would re-evaluate your playing. In order for enough pressure to
build up to produce pain, you must be playing inefficiently.
Concentrate on not holding back the air as you breathe in and out. If
your throat (the epiglotis?) is holding back the air, you are going to
produce a lot more compression. Imagine your lungs as two long
balloons. If you fill them up and don't hold the end of them (your
throat) the air will come out with plenty of intensity. Relax!

Eric Berlin