A few years ago I had the pleasure of being on Roberto Perrone’s Family Panel (BBC 3Counties Radio). One of the topics that came up for discussion was about a Gloucestershire GP who was recommending to his patients that they sing, rather than take prescription medicine. Since I am a singer (when I studied Music at university, before retraining as an osteopath, singing was my 1st Study) – and love treating singers, this is close to my heart.
Singing is known to have so many benefits, whether you are enjoying the resonant acoustics of your tiled bathroom; singing hymns in church; joining a Rock Choir or Community Choir, a choral society or a barbershop group; or singing with your tribe at a football or rugby match.
It’s all about helping people stand straighter, and giving the diaphragm a good workout – AND the brain, especially if you are learning new songs. The combination of learning words and tunes uses different parts of your brain, which is always helpful for our thought processes.
Increasingly there are choirs being set up for people with say Parkinson’s or Dementia. The difference it makes to their wellbeing and enjoyment of life is wonderful to behold.
The sadness is if a child, usually a boy, often as they heading towards all the changes of puberty (as had happened with one of the panel yesterday, and to my father), is told to not sing because they are making a horrible noise and spoiling the sound of the choir. Too often, this can put them off singing, for life.
Fortunately for my father, once his voice had broken, teachers realised that there was a good voice there, and he went on to thoroughly enjoy taking part in local am-dram productions of musicals and light opera.
There is a wonderful African saying – If you can walk you can dance, if you can talk, you can sing.
So – use it or lose it. If there’s a chance to sing, seize it and relish every moment.
And if you feel that maybe your posture, or tension in your neck and shoulders, is affecting your voice – do get in touch. Let’s explore together to see what a difference osteopathy can make to the sounds coming out of your mouth!
If you live or work in or near Baldock in North Hertfordshire, or Bromley in South East London, and would like to have a chat about how osteopathy might be able to help you, then do get in touch: text me or call me on 07535 350 343. I may be helping a patient, so a text is best, and I can call you back.