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Abstract
This article was inspired by our awareness of an increasing number of voice students and professional singers who specialize in Western art music and who present with symptoms relating to gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). In our attempts to understand this phenomenon, we began questioning the relationship between diaphragmatic-intercostal breathing (DIB) and the occurrence of GERD. This study uses two of the methods by which qualitative research can be done, namely literature reviews and case studies. The results of the literature review show that the way in which the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) functions during DIB has direct bearing on the possible movement of gastric acids via the esophagus into the pharynx and the larynx. Acknowledging the fact that we are not medical experts, we then used the data from the case studies to suggest how singers might adjust their life styles in order to restrict or prevent occurrences of GERD.
Highlights
This research project was inspired by personal experience of how Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) influenced performances of Western art music
We have been confronted with singing students who present with symptoms related to gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and we experienced a need for more information on how to guide a student in seeking help for this condition
This article attempts to understand the relationship between diaphragmatic-intercostal breathing (DIB)4 and the occurrence of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in singers who specialize in Western art music
Summary
This research project was inspired by personal experience of how Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) influenced performances of Western art music. This article attempts to understand the relationship between diaphragmatic-intercostal breathing (DIB) and the occurrence of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in singers who specialize in Western art music. It is the product of a research project that had its origins. This article has a dual purpose, namely to provide singers and voice pedagogues with sufficient information on the nature of and the relationship between DIB and GERD on the one hand and, on the other hand, to make some suggestions on how a voice pedagogue can assist a student in attempts to manage the occurrence of GERD more efficiently. A brief discussion about each of the main concepts serves as background to this study
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