The Valsalva maneuver prevents an imbalance from developing between the pressure in the outer ear and the pressure in the inner ear. It is a technique widely used in scuba diving, but also to try to reduce certain heart rhythm disorders.
The Valsalva maneuver consists of the gradual and slow sending of air towards the Eustachian tubes, after blocking the nose and mouth. You can also swallow during the Valsalva maneuver. The Valsalva maneuver is one of the “vagal maneuvers” used to stop certain tachycardias such as that of Bouveret’s disease, because it helps trigger the vagal reflex (of the pneumogastric nerve)which slows the heart rate in the atria. Furthermore, when the doctor hears a heart murmur with a stethoscope, the maneuver modifies the murmur if it comes from the right heart chambers, providing diagnostic clues. In ear pathology, the Valsalva maneuver allows, during the external examination of the eardrum, to check whether it is mobile under the effect of changes in pressure, which indicates the permeability of the eardrum. ‘Eustache. Be careful, if the air is sent too brutally, or the Valsalva maneuver is repeated too often, damage to the eardrums may occur.