The purpose this workshop is to demonstrate a method of laryngeal manual therapy (LMT) that is being used in the treatment of Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) both in the speaking and singing voice.

In Denmark, where one of the authors practices as a speech-language therapist (SLT) in the field of voice problems, the possibility of referring patients to a physiotherapist who will treat excess muscular tension in the laryngeal area has, unfortunately, become very restricted. This leaves the SLT with patients who, because of this excess muscle tension, have difficulties benefiting from voice exercises instructed by the SLT and a need for a protocol for treating this condition. At the moment the authors are conducting a study to investigate the effect of such a protocol.

In this workshop, the condition of specific muscles in the neck and around the larynx is assessed by palpatory evaluation. Evaluation and treatment will be demonstrated according to a well-defined program based on the first author's experience in the field of treating excess (compensatory) muscle tension in professional singers.

The aim of the LMT is, of course, to cause the excess muscle tension to relax and thereby reduce the degree of vocal tract discomfort. It may also result in a spontaneous improvement of voice function. On the other hand, in cases with a markedly increased compensatory muscle activity, the therapy may result in a voice function with less stability, less volume or more breathiness than before treatment. Therefore, LMT should normally be accompanied by other forms of voice therapy (e.g. adjusting respiratory patterns or training voice strength/voice volume). In the present study, however, the LMT will be administered as the only treatment, in order for the possible effect of that treatment not to be mixed up with the simultaneous effects of other forms of treatment (such other treatments will be applied after the LMT if need be).

Key words: Laryngeal Manual Treatment. Vocal outcome. Muscle Tension Dysphonia, Vocal tract discomfort. Palpatory evaluation. Professional voice users.