LARYNGEAL THERAPY & VOCAL MASSAGE

WHAT WE DO

The VOC DOC  has been  providing  Laryngeal Therapy and Vocal Massage to High Profile and Professional  Singers , Actors ,Speakers , Voice-Over Artists  and Presenters from all over the world since 2014. We treat  at our clinic in Warwickshire  and  off-site*

for those on tour, by travelling to the venues or other convenient locations across the UK to apply the treatment wherever needed and most convenient for the artist.  


Whilst this type of therapy is very effective in dealing with a large amount of vocal issues , and assisting vocal rehab alongside other specialist clinicians;  The VOC DOCS  approach is very much 'prevention is better than cure!' We would encourage artists to have treatment at the rehearsal stage, periodically between shows and performance dates, and following a tour to reduce the risk of vocal fatigue issues and to keep the voice in better health. 

*Off-site visits will incur extra costs and we generally require advance notice. In the event that you need an urgent off-site appointment or something goes wrong unexpectedly, we will always do our very best to get to wherever you are, when you need us. 

WHAT IS LARYNGEAL THERAPY OR VOCAL MASSAGE?

Laryngeal Therapy, or Vocal Massage as it's increasingly becoming known, is the vocalists equivalent of Sports Massage and Sports Osteopathy for athletes. Athletes will have monthly, weekly and sometimes daily sessions to aid their training and performance, speed up recovery and reduce the risk of injury. The only real difference between you and a sports athlete, is that you use different muscles to execute your profession and passion.

Think of yourself from this moment on as a 'Vocal Athlete'. You use the muscles of the larynx, jaw, diaphragm and many others, in order to produce sound on a daily basis - even when you're not performing. Those muscles will naturally become fatigued, sometimes sore and tense after long periods of using your voice. For some of us, we also have the added effects of anxiety and stress on the voice too, which only adds to the feelings of muscle tension and fatigue. 

This can often make the voice sound tired, croaky, restricted and hoarse. It can make singing feel very laboured, reduce your range, stamina and vocal control. In-turn, this can sometimes lead to compensatory behaviours (Muscle Tension Dysphonia) in order to 'get through' a performance, or run of shows. If not addressed or resolved over a period of time, you'll be using your voice sub-optimally and putting strain on other areas of the voice such as your vocal folds (vocal chords), which can eventually lead to more serious and long standing issues requiring more time to rectify. 
 
This type of therapy is very ‘hands-on’ BUT NOT PAINFUL. 

It involves a mixture of laryngeal manipulation, soft tissue massage, stretching, myofascial release, and osteopathic articulation to the muscles of the larynx, the larynx itself, the jaw, neck, abdominal region and other muscles and areas associated with producing sound and breathing, such as the ribs and spine where osteopathic manipulation may be used also.

In a nutshell it can help to:
  • Restore normal laryngeal function, reducing compensatory behaviours and the risk of vocal injury
  • Encourage a more neutral jaw position to improve articulation, pronunciation, tone and resonance
  • Stimulate the muscles used for breathing to promote more effective breath support and control
  • Relax and reduce tension type symptoms in the muscles (directly and indirectly) associated with voice production
  • Reduce the effects of vocal fatigue, stress and anxiety
  • In some cases can reduce the symptoms of Acid Reflux & GERD
  • Improve and maintain posture 
  • Create a self-awareness of tension, fatigue and the importance of healthy technique
It will not improve poor technique or replace the need to exercise and develop your voice. So, Laryngeal Therapy and Vocal Massage should be part of a good and consistent vocal health routine, alongside regular vocal coaching, vocal exercise, a good diet, hydration and something we all neglect, rest.New Paragraph
CLINICAL SESSIONS
The following prices are for appointments at our clinic. 

INITIAL SESSION OR
1 HOUR MAINTENANCE

£75

Initial session includes consultation and appropriate treatment.
1hr maintenance session tailored to specific needs including treatment for Neck, Shoulders, TMJ, Tongue, Larynx, Ribs and Diaphragm/Abdominal Region

30 MINUTE 
MAINTENANCE

£50

Tailored treatment for Neck, Shoulders, TMJ, Tongue, Larynx, Ribs and Diaphragm/Abdominal Region
Only available for those who have completed the initial consultation and/or those using the session solely for 
maintenance purposes.
OFFSITE & VIDEO CALL
Please note that all 'Off-Site' visits and sessions will incur additional travel costs, which will be discussed and agreed prior to your session. We also offer video call consultations and appointments where we can guide you through some self help techniques in an emergency situation, or where and offsite session is not possible or convenient. 

TOUR CALL OUTS
& OFFSITE SESSIONS

POA

Includes consultation and treatment for Neck, Shoulders, TMJ, Tongue, Larynx, Ribs and Diaphragm/Abdominal Region tailored to client needs and requirements
Tour call outs will incur additional costs which will be determined prior to your session. 

VIDEO CALL CONSULTATIONS
& GUIDED SELF-HELP VIDEO CALLS

POA

Video consultation and/or guided self-treatment for Neck, Shoulders, TMJ, Tongue, Larynx, Ribs and Diaphragm/Abdominal Region tailored to client needs and requirements

ABOUT THE VOC DOC

THE VOC DOC - CHARLES WARD

Charles Ward has been treating voice users from all over the world since 2014. Working with amateur voice users all the way through to supporting high profile and award winning artists during their sell-out World and UK Arena and Theatre Tours. Charles has worked with TAKE THAT during their sell-out 2017 Wonderland and 2019 Odyssey UK Tours, Bring Me The Horizon during the UK leg of their sell-out World Tour, Mallory Knox during their Headline Tour in 2017, Grammy Award winning artists from the USA during their UK leg of World Tours, cast members of The Play That Goes Wrong, Chicago, Legally Blonde, High School Musical, Rock of Ages and Wicked, as well as new break-through artists and professional singers from around the world.

Charles originally trained and qualified in Hamburg, Germany back in 2014 under the instruction of Jacob Lieberman, who is at the forefront of this therapy and laryngeal research. Since then, Charles continues his education and growth in this therapy by attending regular CPD courses in Hamburg with Jacob, amongst others, to ensure he delivers the best possible service and advice, keeping abreast of any changes and new developments. 

Also a trained and semi-professional singer coached by some of the UK's most highly regarded, and with industry experience, Charles really understands the importance of a good vocal health routine, technique and the impact that it can have when things go wrong - this is why The VOC DOC was set up. 

Charles is also fully qualified in Sports and Massage Therapy, Medical Acupuncture, Osteopathic Articulation and Spinal Manipulation. As a result has a very good grasp on muscular skeletal anatomy and human movement.

Charles is regularly asked to present and write articles for voice related organisations and online magazines due to his experience as a manual therapist, and also trains other manual therapists in Vocal Massage. 

TESTIMONIALS

"I started seeing Charlie a few months back to take care of some throat problems Ive had over the years from over-working, bad singing technique when I started out and not enough rest between tours/studio. Safe to say that Charlie has helped me out and I've never felt healthier. 100% recommend him. It's not something I thought I needed until I saw the differences he's made for me."
"Such is my faith in Charlie, that I recently arranged for him to provide LMT to a high-profile artist I coach as routine vocal maintenance in the midst of an arena tour. Charlie was highly professional, proficient, knowledgeable and made everyone feel very at ease." 


"The LMT felt like finally I was getting attention in the area that had been causing me problems for so long, and that most other body workers were afraid to touch. Charlie obviously knew what he was doing, and managed to gently, but firmly create some movement ease in and around my larynx. There was noticeable improvement in my voice by the end of the session... If I lived closer... I would see Charlie a few more times and expect some big changes"
"I have benefited strongly from the laryngeal therapy, provided by Charlie Ward. Each session has a clear internal structure, with sufficient time for a full description and discussion of the symptoms at the start, the therapy itself, and some further discussion and advice at the end - all delivered in a clear and friendly manner. At all points during the therapy Mr Ward clearly explains his procedures and findings, commenting on progress and advising on the management of symptoms"
"As a Musical theatre Performer, Looking after my voice is of the utmost importance. Performing 8 shows a week is very demanding and can sometimes leave your voice feeling tight and sore. Being able to see Charles for a vocal massage can be the difference between getting through a week or not. The sessions are pain free and the benefits are immeasurable.  After my session my voice feels refreshed and relaxed and ready to take on whatever vocal demands that are ahead of me"