Stomach Pain When Singing

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Stomach Pain When Singing

by Rose
(Srilanka Colombo)

Rose:

My question is one of my students is having stomach pains on her right side while she is singing. Please tell me why is that happening, because she loves to sing so much.

Thank You

Dana

Rose, this does not sound like a singing problem, but a medical problem! I hope I am wrong, but I have never heard of stomach pains while singing. Is it always when she sings, or just at her voice lesson? Perhaps she is eating a full meal before she comes to her lesson, and taking deep, quick breaths is causing a sensation such as is caused by running or swimming after a full meal? In the States we call this kind of feeling "cramps," or "a stitch in the side".

Perhaps she is currently having problems eating oily or greasy foods (which can be hard on the system, especially after surgery), and the quick movements of the diaphragm in breathing for singing is aggravating the problem.

I suspect a digestive problem, but I am no doctor. If anyone else has experience with this kind of problem while singing, please give your input.

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Stomach Pain When Singing

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Dec 23, 2011
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Totally Possible
by: Anonymous

I agree with Dana and a couple others. I'm a new singing student. I'm an adult male in great physical condition (for sports). I didn't realize that performing correct vocal techniques would be so demanding and such a physical challenge. Just like any other activity, if you're not use to it, you may be sore for a while after doing that activity.

I was trying to impress during my second lesson by breathing from the diaphragm and sustaining notes. On my own, I figured if I take a full breath and support while singing, I'm doing my thing. Well, I went a step further without instructions... As I was losing air I expanded my abdomen while I was singing the note. I did this several times vigorously. I didn't think of it hurting me.

The next day I woke up with a pretty serious pain right where the lower part of the ribcage meets the cartilage and muscles. I KNOW it's from muscle strain because I know my body and I remember this pain. It's the same pain I got from doing crunches (situps) too intensely. It's more common than people think. I was a professional athlete and know several people that have had this happen. I iced it and rested and I feel much better.

When I saw a diagram of the diaphragm and learned what a powerful muscle it is, it clicked.

NOW, I will ask my instructor exactly HOW to do these exercises correctly.

Dana:
Thank you for your detailed description of your experience! I know this will be helpful to others.

Jan 26, 2011
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I'm having the same problem.
by: Anonymous

Hello.
I'm having the same pain in the right side, under my ribs. It feels like a broken rib, but I know this starts when I start singing.
I don't know if it is because I'm doing something wrong or something good.
If sombody knows what this could be please tell me because I love singing.

Dana:

Perhaps you are eating too much before you sing? Could it be heartburn, or indigestion, aggravated by deep breathing for singing?

Do you have good posture when you sing -- standing straight with your ribcage lifted away from your stomach?

Perhaps you have pulled a muscle doing another activity, such as lifting something heavy, and it only hurts now when you breathe deeply?

It is hard to understand this problem, as I have never experienced it myself.

Aug 21, 2010
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Preventing Stomach Pains
by: Anonymous

I have the same problem as your student. Whenever I run or do any kind of prolonged physical activities, I can get a stitch in my side.

I told my doctor about it and after the standard advice of waiting for your food to digest, he also told me that when doing physical activities, I can prevent most side stitches by breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth.

Doing that provides you with the oxygen you need but it also reduces the air in your stomach, which, of course, can cause pain in it.

Suggest that your student look into breathing tips for singers. If she can't afford a private tutor or isn't interested in getting that involved, there are many books available on the subject.

Dana:

Good advice! Thank you.

Jun 06, 2010
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Stomach Pain
by: Anonymous

Rose:

Dana,

I agree with you. She said that she's having that stomach pain only while she is singing (the top notes) and running as well.But she has a good voice and she loves to sing so much.

I told her to not to be scared of that, and continue singing & don't go to sing very high notes.

Thank you for your valuable opinion.If you get some more information about stomach pain, please send it to me.

Thank you, from Rose

Dana:

Rose,

Perhaps she is using too much pressure when she sings high notes. Ideally, the best singing should feel easy as well. Perhaps you could have her do sirens nice and easy, with no increasing pressure in the abdominal area as she goes high... have her place her hands on her abdomen and try to keep it "soft" as she gently slides up and down vocally. She probably needs to build NEW HABITS, and you don't want to bar her from the high notes permanently, but learn to sing them a different way.

This is only one idea...

Dana

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Stomach Pain When Singing

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Stomach Pain When Singing