Valsalva terminology?

[Wozzer]

In my medical experience, the "valsalva" manueuver referrers to a combination of forced exhalation against a closed glottis and activation of abdominal muscles that results in increased intra-abdominal (and thoracic) pressure. It's AKA "bearing down", and people usually use it to poop (also for medical diagnosis).

Now I also hear divers refer to forced exhalation against a pinched nose to equalize middle ear pressures as "Valsalva". Are one or both of these correct?

 

[doctormike]

You are correct that the term "Valsalsva Maneuver" is often used to describe both the familiar ear clearing maneuver and the process of straining against a closed glottis, increasing intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressure.

However, the second usage is probably not what old Dr. Valsalva was thinking of.... The famous 18th century Italian anatomist had devoted his life to the ear, and was the one who actually used the term "Eustachian Tube" (named after another anatomist, Eustachius, who lived a few hundred years earlier).

SO, as with many phrases, common usage will vary over the years, but strictly speaking, Valsalva is the ear clearing (as opposed to colon clearing) maneuver. And don't forget about the Toynbee maneuver (swallowing with a pinched nose), which is a more gentle way of opening up your Eustachian tubes and reventilating your middle ears...

Happy Diving!

Mike

 

[Wozzer]

Awesome info, thanks for the explanation! Is there a better name (ie, more jargon-y) for "bearing down"?

 

[doctormike]

Not that I know of ... I'm an ENT doc, so we don't usually get involved with that end of things, but "bearing down" is what I remember from being a surgery intern..!

 

[fairybasslet]

And don't forget about the Toynbee maneuver (swallowing with a pinched nose), which is a more gentle way of opening up your Eustachian tubes and reventilating your middle ears...

Mike

I have found that this maneuver works much better for me than valsalva. However, before I splash, I do them both at the same time to get a really big head start on equalizing since I sometimes have trouble.