It works! Actually, I haven't tried it before meals. But I used to have the worst esophageal spasms (probably part of the MS hug, partly short-circuited nerves and reflux.) Felt like what I imagine a heart attack would feel like. The only way I could get it to go away was to drink a glass of warm water, verrrrrry slowly. This forced my throat muscles to relax, and the knot to melt.