Valsalva Stuttering Therapy

Valsalva Stuttering Therapy is a comprehensive new approach to treating stuttering blocks by controlling the underlying psychological, neurological, and physiological factors that cause them. 

An Explanation of Stuttering Blocks

Valsalva Stuttering Therapy is based on the premise that most stuttering is caused not by a lack of ability to speak, but rather by an interference with the ability that the speaker already has. It recognizes that the interference with speech does not begin in the mouth, but rather in the brain. Therefore, persons who stutter often feel that an upcoming word contains a “brick wall,” even before they try to say it. This interference may occur when the brain’s amygdala triggers a fight-flight-freeze response, which inhibits phonation of the vowel sound – the loudest part of a word or syllable – without which the word cannot be spoken. In its place, the stress hormones substitute a strong impulse to force out the word through activation of the body’s Valsalva mechanism.

Because the larynx isn’t ready to phonate the vowel sound, the speech mechanism hesitates or gets stuck on the preceding consonant – repeating, prolonging, or forcing on it. In words that begin with vowels, the repetitions or forcing may focus on the “glottal stop” – the brief closure of the larynx to build up air pressure to accentuate the beginning of the vowel sound. These struggle behaviors are what people call “stuttering.” Although it may superficially appear that persons who stutter have trouble saying initial consonants, their real problem is an inability to move on to the vowel sounds that follow.

Persons who stutter often treat blocked words as if they were objects that could be forced out of the body by building up internal air pressure. When they do this, they are actually performing a natural bodily function known as a “Valsalva maneuver.” However, this automatically stops the airflow needed for phonation and makes the block even stronger. At best, the forcing may eventually discharge the “effort impulse” and allow the word to be spoken. This creates a false impression that forcing helped to get the word out, thereby perpetuating the use of physical effort in speaking.

Basic Elements of Therapy

Valsalva Stuttering Therapy treats stuttering not as a “fluency” problem or an “articulation” problem, but rather as a specific kind of voice problem. Once the interference with vowel phonation is overcome, the stuttering behaviors will diminish on their own. By understanding the “voice problem,” Valsalva Stuttering Therapy is able to address more effectively the physiological, neurological, and psychological aspects of stuttering.

Valsalva Stuttering Therapy intentionally does not emphasize “fluency” per se, because efforts to “stop stuttering” are usually self-defeating. Natural fluency cannot be forced. Instead, the goal is to free you to express yourself in an easy, effortless, and natural way, thereby allowing natural fluency to follow on its own.

Therapy Exercises

The exercises in Valsalva Stuttering Therapy are designed to promote easy, effortless speech by promoting vowel phonation and rooting out the effort impulses that lead to stuttering blocks. Rather than teaching superficial “fluency” tricks, which tend to be ineffective in actual speaking situations, the exercises seek to resolve the underlying causes of stuttering. Instead of focusing on “controlling” one’s peech, Valsalva Stuttering Therapy exercises are aimed controlling the forces that interfere with speech by:

• Relaxing the Valsalva mechanism,
• Reducing the urge to exert effort,
• Diverting effort impulses to a part of the Valsalva mechanism that does not interfere with speech,
• Discharging the blocks inconspicuously and without disruption of speech,
• Treating words as a continuous flow of movement and phonation, rather than as physical objects, and
• Promoting the voicing of vowel sounds and self-expression through the music of your voice, so as to free your own natural speaking ability.
• Improving your attitudes and intentions in speaking.

Valsalva Stuttering Therapy, in its current form, has been developed through actual clinical experience, experimentation, and practice-based evidence, involving the participation of more than 200 persons who stutter from all over the world. Individualized counseling also helps you transfer Valsalva-relaxed speech to everyday speaking situations. Valsalva Stuttering Therapy has been very effective in promoting easier, less effortful, natural-sounding speech in everyday speaking situations.

In addition to the standard 15-hour therapy program, there is now a 7-hour expedited therapy program. Both offer individual online therapy sessions and daily independent practice. Participants can download a wide assortment of therapy materials, including videos. Although therapy is structured, it is also very flexible to address your individual needs.

The time required to obtain optimal results will vary depending on each individual. However, the insights and skills learned from Valsalva Stuttering Therapy may enable you to achieve further progress on your own, while reducing the possibility of relapse. You can also arrange additional therapy as needed.

Advantages of Valsalva Stuttering Therapy

Valsalva Stuttering Therapy should be seriously considered as an approach to stuttering therapy because it is:

• The only approach that directly addresses the Valsalva mechanism’s involvement in stuttering behavior;
• Comprehensive in that it addresses the psychological, neurological, and physiological aspects of stuttering;
• Consistent with natural-sounding speech;
• Harmless, non-invasive, and without adverse side effects; and
• Not dependent on drugs or devices.

Will You Be “Cured”?

Ethically responsible speech-language pathologists avoid using the term “cure” in regard to stuttering in adults. Currently there is no therapy, drug, or device that totally eliminates stuttering in all stutterers all the time. The results of any stuttering therapy will vary depending on each individual. Although clinicians will use their best efforts to help to improve your speech, the results of stuttering therapy cannot be guaranteed, and therapy fees are not refundable.

Nevertheless, much can be done to reduce the frequency and strength of blocks, to help you handle them when they occur, and to make speech easier and more enjoyable. Valsalva Stuttering Therapy has produced significant improvements in both fluency and the overall impact of stuttering in the great majority of participants, while preserving natural-sounding speech.

As with any kind of therapy, the time needed to achieve the desired results will vary, depending on each individual. In the case of Valsalva Stuttering Therapy, your speech should continue to improve long after formal therapy is completed. By continuing to practice the skills, insights, and natural way of speaking that you have learned, you will be in a position to make further progress on your own. The more you go out and talk, the easier and more enjoyable speaking will become.