Neck Bubbles Part 3: The Actual expert
To my great surprise this website has become a resource for humans that experience a neck bulge when they play a wind instrument. An unexpected number of musicians around the world have reached out to learn more about how to cope and heal from these injuries, while continuing to cultivate a musical life.
I had a Zoom meeting recently with one such lovely young musician from the Midwest who was experiencing a neck bulge when he played the trumpet. Also on this Zoom call were his incredibly supportive teacher and his very knowledgeable father who is a medical doctor. While gathering my thoughts to meet with this esteemed group, it occurred to me that I have no real idea what I’m talking about. I thought, “they really shouldn’t be coming to me. I’m just an injured musician, not an expert on injuries.” These kind people were looking for help unlocking the musical potential of a young person dealing with a possible injury, but I do not know how pharyngoceles really work. I do not know exactly why they happen, or really what happens to other musicians who have pharyngoceles besides the people I’ve spoken to.
I have a story I tell myself. Through memories of what I think I did when I had pain and how I think I responded to it, I’ve woven a narrative that makes sense to me. The big ideas of this story hit on many of the touchstones of psychological and perceptual-motor development: time off, feeling bad, sounding bad, slow recovery, rebuilding, habits, empathy, self-concept, practice, patience…you get the idea. But my story doesn’t include physiology, of which I know practically nothing. Given the central role that bodily tissue plays in injury, this is a big gap in my story that I should try and fill. If there’s an occasion for me to try and help another musician confronting a pharyngocele, it would be good form for me to know more about what’s really happening in the body.
For that reason, I reached out to researcher and otolaryngologist at Vanderbilt University, Dr. Alex Langerman. Dr. Langerman, an incredible person (seriously, take a few minutes and read what this human is up to), is not only one of the few researchers to have published a paper on pharyngoceles. He’s also treated many musicians, some surgically, who were experiencing painful neck bulges while playing.
We chatted via Zoom in early June of 2024. Below, I’ve edited some of what Dr. Langerman was able to clarify for me with the hope that it may help others on an injury journey:
1. What is a pharyngocele?
2. What are the symptoms?
3. How is a pharyngocele different than a laryngocele?
4. What are some of the causes?
5. What kinds of non-surgical interventions should people try before surgery?
6. What about surgery?
7. Is there anything to do to prevent injuries like these?
If you’re in need of a medical expert on the topic, please contact Dr. Langerman. He’s a real mensch. For anyone else that wants a musician’s take on things, I’m always happy to chat: micah@micahkillion.com.
