I first started experiencing this (stress velopharyngeal insufficiency) about a year and a half ago, but not very much. I had to practice quite a lot for an audition about eight months ago (5 hours straight, at one point), followed by two intensive honor band weekends. During all of this, the VPI that was "in the background," per se, got much worse. I still can't play without experiencing it, and I don't want to do any permanent damage. Would anyone happen to have a way to help to treat this (other than surgery), or who possibly has advice from prior experience? Thanks!