valsalva mechanism

[thebirdman001]

I have stuttered for my entire life (20 now). Just recently (last year or so) I relised that stuttering was really holding me back and I decided to study and try to "defeat" this monster. I am a somewhat quiet person as a result of my stuttering, but around the right people I can speak fluently. I have gone through 2 or 3 therapy programs but I feel I have gained nothing. I recently stumbled upon a new "experimental" aproach and it is the first method that makes any sense to me at all. It says that stuttering in a large portion of stutters is caused by the Valsalva mechanism. I wont get into specifics but if you want to know more just type it into google and you will find more info.
The reason for the post is two fold: one to give people another helpfull tool and the other to ask if people have tried this method. please research and/or give me opinions. thanks

[johnjohn]

i have seen the website. it sounds great, but the whole reason I stutter is because i do not breathe properly, therefore this does not work for.

[bignick]

I stutter for the same reason as Johnjohn. As far as I can work out, I try to speak when I breathe in and thats when I stutter, its that simple.
I will be having a look at the valsalva mechanism as I dont have a clue what it is.

[USAFNCO]

It's not new, I incorporate it with my system to defeat stuttering. You have to keep your abdomen and anus relaxed while you speak. By keeping your midsection relaxed it keeps your throat relaxed which prevents blocking and stuttering. It takes practice and time but it definitely helps.

USAFNCO (retired) :cool:

[Standingtall]

First, Hi thebirdman001.
I guess it is not new, I see years as early 70's. Where is that graduate student. I don't know anything about it. My girls are 4 and they stutter, but one has more blocks or have an harder time starting on a word. So, does this mean this learned this from me and it does not come from an gene. They are in pre-school and don't think they know about their stutter. They were born with an lateral cleft lip and palet, with one girl having two. So, they had surgeries and had their skulls reshaped. I guess that is where the mental stress comes from. They are scared of doctors. So, when I have an block, instead of forcing it out, I stop, take a quick breath and relax and it gets me through the block. I can see an connection with me there. They are offering YOGA classes here at work, maybe I should join and learn to breath properly. One of my co-worker is a YOGA master, 'learn the force Luke'.

[USAFNCO]

Hello,

When you stop and relax during a block, you are actually relaxing your valsalva mechanism. It's impossible to sustain a block with a relaxed mid-section. Try this, hold your lips together and make the "P" sound. Don't let the air out of your mouth, feel how tight your body is. Relax your mid-section and you'll notice the pressure which has built up in your mouth is gone.

Hope this helps,

USAFNCO (Retired) :cool:

[Standingtall]

I notice the tension when I hold my breath in and try to say 'P'. Wife told me, go then.

[USAFNCO]

Instead of fighting the block, just let go of it. Why fight it, take the path of least resistance, like water.

USAFNCO (Retired) :cool:

[Standingtall]

Huh!, you told me to try it and I did. About 90% of the time, I don't fight my blocks, I just stop, relax, get some air in my lungs and it helps me get through my blocks. Thanks for the advice.

[USAFNCO]

No problem.

USAFNCO (Retired) :cool: