For any vocalists out there constantly stuggling with colds and allergies, you don't face many choices. You either end up taking lots of medicines which dry out your throat, nose, and sinuses, or you tough it out and sound like crap (while the sound guy turns up the reverb).
My doc recommended I try using a Neti-Pot to irrigate my nasal cavity and sinuses which would help prevent infections and keep it clear of guck. I wanted a more natural solution that would free me from using medications. When she described it, I looked at her like she was crazy but once I tried it, I cleared up in a few days and could stop taking antihistamines. Soon after that my vocals resonated much easier since my breathing was free and my throat and sinuses were moist and unirritated.
The Neti Pot has been used in India for centuries and its a pretty basic idea. You take a small plastic thing that looks like a mini flower pot filled with warm salty water, lean your head over the sink (facing down), tilt your head to one side, stick the nozzle in one nostril, tilt the Neti Pot, and let the solution run through your sinuses until it starts running out of the opposite nostril. Switch sides and repeat until the pot is empty. Then (very gently) blow your nose and repeat if necessary.
Caution: Some have tried shooting warm salty water the same way using a turkey baster, etc but you don't want to force it in there. Also, whlle warm salty water is OK, the solution which comes with the sinucleanse kit works 100% better.
I do not work for that company nor gain any favor, discount, etc for posting here. I've just found something which has changed my life a a vocalist and wanted to share it with everyone else (who probably found it well before I did).
Musically yours,
Chris
oooo, I saw that on tv recently and wanted to try it but was a lil scared of it being painful/messing it up, so thanks for the advice.
I'm not a singer perse, more a guitarist slowly struggling with the learning-to-sing thing, but I always had trouble with my sinuses which impeded my attempts/confidence with singing as well as general health, so I'll endeavour to try this out - I'll report back here if/when I do with how I got on. :)
When sick I'll use warm saline and snort it, (I swear that's salt I'm adding to the water), or a product call Ayr, available in gel or spray. You just have to make sure you are over a sink with the saline, the Ayr you can use anywhere though you may have to spit.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=11582&catid=12203
Though the sinus cleansing thing sounds like the real deal....
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7108546
I've used a Neti-Pot for years! And it's a wonderful thing! I have allergies and get sinus infections and the Neti-Pot really cleans everything out. It's kind of weird to use the first time or two, but you get used to it and it's really not unpleasant at all. I just use warm water with sea salt. I highly recommend using one, not necessarily for singing, although it does help in that area, but just for everyday allergies. It's an amazing little contraption! And, it really works!
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"Don't wanna ride no shootin' star. Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar." Emmylou Harris, "Rhythm Guitar" from "The Ballad of Sally Rose"
