Although they probably are not aware of this, both Signor Sorrentino and Miss Garrison are employing zone therapy in relieving these vocal ills. For they are exerting pressures on the first and second zones, the region which governs the function of the vocal chords, the pharynx, larynx, and the respiratory passages.
And while their results have been very remarkable, and eminently satisfactory to themselves and their fellow artists, they would be even more striking were the pressures made more “direct.”
SIGNOR UMBERTO SORRENTINO,
the noted tenor, who relieves “tight” throat by making strong traction on the tongue. By pressure on the anterior third of the tongue, and by stimulating the outside lateral aspects of the fore fingers (which distinctly govern the vocal cords) Sorrentino has relieved himself and many of his friends of what promised to be serious throat conditions.
In other words, if, instead of squeezing and making strong traction on the tongue, or of using a depressor on this member, they were to do these things and, in addition, apply firm pressure on the floor of the mouth, beneath the tongue, with a cotton-tipped metal probe (see Fig. [6]), dipped in spirits of camphor or alcohol (to increase the “impulse”), their results would be far more certain and satisfactory.
In all cases of hoarseness, huskiness, or in loss of voice due to irritation or strain—as in clergyman’s sore throat—these practices almost invariably give relief. I remember a case of a soprano whose upper register was completely lost through long-continued strain. The floor of her mouth—directly under the tongue, and up to the roots of the lower incisor teeth, was “prodded” intermittently for a period of fifteen minutes, with the metal probe. The cotton on the tip of the probe was dipped in some pungent agent, for the purpose, as before stated, of increasing the nerve “response.”
Marked improvement followed the first treatment. She was, however, cautioned not to attempt to use the voice, except for a moment or two after treatments—to observe the effect.
The singer also carried out “home treatments,” consisting in five-minute firm applications of a tongue depressor (see Fig. [17]) on the center of the tongue. This was done every four hours. In addition, she squeezed the sides of her thumbs. This action, especially if accompanied by digging the finger nails into the inner side of the thumb—which area is distinctly in the vocal chord zone—has a specific effect upon the vocal chords. Within three days this lady had completely recovered, and was able to return to her company.