Natural Cures for Cricopharyngeal Spasm

I was having an uncomfortable sensation in my throat. It was the same feeling I might get if I was about to cry, but I was having it even when I was not about to cry, and I was having this feeling all day long. It was accompanied by hoarseness and was generally worse in the evening. I would lean my head back to try and stretch out my neck as I almost felt as if I were being strangled. At first I thought it was a cyst or tumor so I used a castor oil pack on it. That was nearly unbearable as I already felt as if I were being strangled and having something around my neck made me feel worse.

After some research, I realized I probably was experiencing Cricopharyngeal Spasm, which is usually caused by anxiety. The pieces began to fall into place. I remembered two other times in my life, times of very great stress, that I had the same problem. While I wasn't feeling anxious, I realized that I have been under great stress for a while with the recent terminal illness and death of my mother, and now my father's serious health problems.

The only natural solutions I could find online for Cricopharyngeal Spasm - (tightness in throat) were to reduce stress (not always possible! ) and sip on warm water or tea. Apparently some find relief when eating or drinking.

Since the cause appeared to be anxiety, I began to research natural cures for anxiety. I began taking the herb Rhodiola and it worked very well for me. I would take one capsule in the morning. If symptoms were present, I would take another capsule in the afternoon. Some people find that Rhodiola helps them sleep, while others find it makes it harder to sleep. For this reason, I avoided it at bedtime, but always made sure to take my magnesium at bedtime, which does seem to relax me and help me to sleep.

Valerian is another great herb for anxiety. If symptoms begin to pick up in the evening, I put a dropper full (15-20 drops) of Valerian Tincture into 2 ounces of water and this again alleviates the symptoms.

Because occasionally a tight feeling in the throat could be caused by a thyroid disorder or tumor, it is wise to get a medical opinion to verify a diagnosis of cricopharyngeal spasm, especially if self-help remedies for anxiety do not give relief.

Earth Clinic has other stories of anxiety remedies on this page: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/anxiety.html

I did not have an odd sound in my throat. I think it was a muscle contraction. Rhodiola helped me for a long time and then stopped helping. I started to take Motherwort instead and that has helped for a long time, even if I skip a day or two of taking it. I saw your post to someone else about this issue and you mentioned throat clearing and mucous in the throat. Many years ago one of my children was clearing his throat very often. I thought it was a nervous tic as he did this while reading. I did some research and found it could be an allergy. I took him off dairy for 6 months and the problem was completely solved. Taking a dairy break seemed to help him permanently. He is an adult now and the problem has not re occurred.

So, it could be an allergy causing the mucous causing the throat clearing. Eliminating an offending food could help. Or taking vitamin C or nettle, both natural anti-histamines. Even a daily dose of apple cider vinegar has helped many people with this issue.

You are kind to look for an answer for your friend! Vitamin C, nettle and apple cider vinegar are all things that help multiple conditions and would be something to consider!

~Mama to Many~