How I resolved my severe globus sensation of 1yr in about 2wks after correct diagnosis

Hi guys,

I suffered from very severe globus sensation for about a year. It varied from a minimum of an annoying sensation of something stuck in the throat, through to intense pain and hypertension at the base of the tongue and roof of the mouth.

I was prescribed omerprazole, had a gastroendoscopy, antidepressants, stretched - the works, but nothing worked.

I was eventually recommended an osteopath, who diagnosed the problem correctly in about 60 seconds.

He pointed out that I was breathing using my neck and upper chest muscles, identifiable from the fact my shoulders were rising every time I took a breath. I was not doing much breathing with my abdominal muscles - the place you're supposed to breathe from.

This is apparently a stress response - you'll start expanding your upper chest to get more air into the lungs when your body perceives it is in danger, but this is supposed to be a temporary measure.

What had happened was I had a really tough few months with anxiety, had started breathing using the chest and frontal neck muscles habitually - this had worn them out causing them to hurt and to press on the esophagus creating the globus sensation, which caused further anxiety and resulted in a continuous negative feedback loop.

As soon as the osteopath pointed this out, I was able to focus on breathing from my abdomen and not my upper chest and neck. This is apparently a tough habit to kick but I was extremely motivated. Exercises to help included tilting the neck and turning the neck as far as it will comfortably go to the left and right (hold for 10secs) while sitting on a chair and holding the edges of it to keep you upright.

You can see a diagram of the muscles involved in breathing here. I was overusing the accessory muscles in the neck: https://www.physio-pedia.com/images/e/e7/949_937_muscles-of-respiration.jpg

I hope this helps someone. Go to an osteopath! It's incredible how something wrong with your posture or an injury can cause a cascade of issues through the musoloskeletal structure.

T