Tweet? Pressurization system? That's a new one on me.



Short of the valsalva, there are other things you can do with your jaw, and with your breathing, that will have subtle changes on the airways that tend to get blocked. Opening your mouth wide can stretch certain areas that might help the blockage, but so can straining the same muscles without actually opening your mouth. Try moving your chin left and right, and see if you don't feel some pressure changes. Again, tightening the same muscles without actually moving your chin can have the same effect.


A "mini" valsalva of sorts will have a gentle effect. Close your mouth, but don't tocuh your nose, and just blow quickly and gently -- not enough to dislodge anything you wouldn't want dangling on your lip, mind you, just a gentle puff. Quick short puffs seem to have the best effect.


Experiment with these on the ground and practice the ones that have the best effect for you. I can tighten muscles that open the passageways without moving anything, and it's very effective.


HOWEVER, none of the above will work if you get behind. You have to stay ahead of the pressurization changes, and that means doing those clearing maneuvers even before you feel any pressure build. Once you feel the pressure on your ears, you're behind. Skip right to the valsalva to get ahead of it again, and then keep clearing. When you are using the correct rate, you'll use your method and feel a tiny pressure relief, even though you didnt' realize there was pressure to begin with.






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