Retrain Your Mechanics
to resolve symptoms
Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)
If after your upper airway evaluation, VCD or dysfunctional breathing is indicated, your BBIVAR clinician will recommend therapy to retrain the mechanics of your laryngeal and respiratory musculature. Therapy may include laryngeal control exercises, pursed lip breathing (PEEP/Exhale with Resistance), diaphragmatic breathing/abdominal breathing, pacing during exertion, and/or manual therapies such as myofascial release (MFR).
You will first learn how to breathe optimally in a relaxed environment, then your BBIVAR therapist will progressively expose you to challenges such as exercise or strong scents so you can learn to apply your skills in the real-life situations when your problem tends to occur. Treatment sessions typically are 60 minutes for the first visit and 30 minutes thereafter. Two to four therapy sessions are usually required, with the patient required to follow up on techniques on their own in between sessions. There is a high success rate for the elimination of VCD once mastery of therapeutic exercise is demonstrated by the patient.