Valsalva Control

[Jbradfo]

I was wondering if there was anyone out there who also uses this technique and does it work best for them to relax the abdomen first or to relax the abdomen and phonate at the same time. Still I remain confused on this. Also if there is anyone else out there who uses similiar therapy that involves altering the way you breath, exhale ect. Id like to hear your imput.

[Woody]

It's a long story but I used the Airflow method years ago. It involved basicly taking a breath in starting to exhale and then stretch the first vowel or put a verry slight pause after the first sylibel spoken. Like this:
Air, flow worked for me. instead of Airflow worked for me. This tiny pause or stretching the first vowel
tends to make you speek a little slower. This is the method devised by Martin Swartz.

[jak]

short answer *Valsalva Control is when you tighten your abdomen then release it then speak .or pull abdomen in until you feel your throat tighten then release then start the first word or you can prolong the first word if need be ,use as little air as you can

[maxamillion]

I've tried the Martin Swartz technique a few years ago.
His technique combined with the Fluency Enhancer is supposed to help you relearn how to speak.
It basically works like this:
When using the FE (auditory delayed feedback) it basically forces you to speak slower. That, combined with a slower and softer first word and a pause after your first word is supposed to help you speak more fluent.
It also desensitizes you to situations and words that make you stutter more.
I had minimal success with it, and have since given up on it. But I will still occasionally read out loud with the FE just to ease some tension when I'm having a really bad day. . . . its relaxing just to be able to speak for 5-10 minutes with very few or no stuttering.
There use to be a pretty active message board and alot of good people sharing information and success stories using Dr. Shwartz technique.
But as time went on it seemed that only a select few had any continued success and so most of us gave up
But I did meet a lot of really good people including Andrew Greenstein, who was always willing to help and swears by Dr. Shartz technique.
But stuttering is very complicated and no one technique or therapy will work for everyone.