VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

One of the 3 best things I have done to improve my business this past year has been to regularly use my Neti Pot. What an enormous difference it makes for me! (If you don’t know what a Neti Pot is, do a search here and you’ll find a lot of info about it. Basically, it’s saline irrigation through your nasal passages using the teapot-looking Neti Pot).

Here is a link to download a wav file of me reading a short 14 second script before using the Neti Pot, and after. My advice to you is that if you have ANY issue at all with allergies, sinuses, congestion, etc., that you invest $15 and a very short learning curve and buy yourself a Neti Pot.

https://www.onlinefilefolder.com/4s5C5gZq346zpI
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Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

I should have mentioned my signal chain. I used a Neumann TLM-103 into a SPeck 5.0 solid-state preamp. I use an Echo Mia sound card. The files were normaized to try and get the same volume, and had very light compression (a ratio of 1.5 to 1) added.
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ccpetersen · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:47 am Post subject:

Yes, but what kind of neti pot?
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Mike Cooper · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:03 am Post subject:

And what are you putting in it? We have one sitting in our cupboard. It scares me…
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Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

I'm using the "Ancient Secrets Ceramic Nasal Cleansing Pot" I got on Amazon for $11 (and it qualifies for free shipping). It came with very finely grained, high-grade salt to mix in to warm water. (I use tap water, some prefer distilled or filtered). The salt is easy and cheap to replenish, and lasts a long time. Some folks also mix in some baking soda.

It is messy at first - it dribbled down my face and neck the first few times I tried it - but I quickly got the hang of it. There are tons of youtube videos that show you how it works if you do a search.

Do not be afraid of the Neti Pot! It is my new very good friend...
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scottnilsen · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:13 am Post subject:

Thanks for the post, Tom. Just out of curiosity, what were the other 2 of the 3 best things?
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Monk · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:17 am Post subject:

I can imagine the money they would have to pay me to be the model for this shot.

I imagine you would have to get used to that sensation...
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Moe Egan · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:20 am Post subject:

I haven't lost one day of work in four years, thanks in large part to my neti pot.
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Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

>Thanks for the post, Tom. Just out of curiosity, what were the other 2 of the 3 best things?

Thanks for asking, Scott. That's for another post. I'll put that up some time next week, so look for it!
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Mandy Nelson · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:55 pm Post subject:

I love my neti. You can get a plastic one at any pharmacy now and they even sell the packet of solution right next to them. It does make one feel rather un-glamorous and like your nasal passages obviously don't go the way they are supposed to if the water doesn't flow out as beautifully as in that photo. But it works.
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Patricia Shanks · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:54 pm Post subject: Neti or not, here I come.

As a long-time opera singer, I've been down this and many other roads to keeping things clear in there. For me, and for a couple of other people who I know, neti isn't the best answer, while it works like a charm for tons of other folks. For me and for one friend of mine, the neti seems to clog up the works, and mess with the ears. Eustacian tube issues.

Regarding the solution ... One doctor said distilled water, only. Another doctor said tap water is fine, as long as there is enough table salt in the solution. Other people say sea salt or kosher salt, only. Blah-dee-blah. After trying the many concoctions, ALL of them were not user-friendly for me. Then, somebody clued me in on the Ayr saline nasal rinse kit. This seems to be good for me. But, sometimes, it stirs things up and just causes me more gunk a couple of days later -- which is what another doctor said the nasal rinses can do. So, I use it sparingly.

Also good (and what seems to do the job for my other non-neti friend) is the Simply Saline product in the can. Better than those saline spray bottles (which, for me, tend to burn).
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Patricia Shanks · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject: Droning On

Why does it look like the model in that photo is about to launch into a bagpipe tune?
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ChrisMezzolesta · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject:

I think the key to using a neti pot successfully is to start breathing thru your mouth about 30 seconds before you insert the tip, making sure the back of your tongue is up against the nasal openings at the back of the throat. This will ensure that no solution goes down the throat causing loads of fun gagging spasms. I still get the ol' "swimmer's water up the nose" effect and the running eyes so it's still a little too uncomfortable for me but I do agree it's something that helps. Really turning the head at a 90 is also a good thing. I should get going with it again. My acupuncturist said 1/2 cup warm water (reverse osmosis best) and 1 tsp sea salt.

Blow the nose out very easily and slowly, and it's amazing what it gets out of there (Yummy!!! Shocked

)
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MuseVox · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 2:16 pm Post subject:

Neti pots are a gift from the sinus gods.

They are used by yogis who practice some pretty deep breath control exercises. I have found that one key to its success is the proper ratio of salt to water. Not enough salt actually causes a burning sensation. The temperature is also key, in that it should be as close to body temperature as possible.

Now, I did have a client who supposedly used it a few times a week, and still had issues, but I suspect that he was not using it enough - I could get all metaphysical on you as to why, but I won't.

~Sarah
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Mandy Nelson · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 2:23 pm Post subject:

Patricia, I initially have ear issues for a few minutes (my tubes hate me and I've had fluid issues for many, many months now) but it clears up nicely (relatively speaking considering said fluid) after a couple of minutes and some blowing. I get a lot of relief when it clears. I could see how it would bother others, though.

Sarah - you are right on. As a yogini who practices and teaches breathing I enjoy the benefits before a practice. Ahhhh.

All of this is reminding me to put tissues on the grocery list.
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