Your Speech and Language Therapist has recommended exercises that may help improve and/or maintain your swallowing function. They will select the most appropriate exercises below for you and show you how to do them.
Remember to STOP if the exercises become uncomfortable or painful.
If you have any questions about these exercises, please ask your Speech and Language Therapist.
Strap muscle exercises
The strap muscles in the neck move the voice box up and out of the way to keep food and liquid from entering the lungs when you swallow.
These exercises are designed to increase flexibility and strength.
Shaker Exercise
Frequency:
- Lie down on your back on the bed or floor. Do not use a pillow because your shoulders must be flat against the surface.
- Keep your shoulders flat against the bed or floor, and lift up your head, bringing your chin down to your chest (until you can see your toes).
- Keep your head lifted for 60 seconds, and then lower your head and rest for 60 seconds.
Modified Shaker Exercise
Frequency:
- Sit comfortably in a chair, keeping your shoulders still.
- Remember to breathe and keep your mouth closed during the task.
- Place a rolled-up towel (approximately 12cm/5 inches diameter) under your chin. You can use your hand to keep it in place.
- Tuck your chin as hard as possible against the towel.
- Hold for 10 seconds.
- Next, squeeze the towel as hard as possible by tucking your chin against it 10 successive times.
Mendelsohn Manoeuvre
Frequency:
- Put your fingers over the bulge at the front of your throat. This is sometimes called the Adam’s apple in men.
- Swallow, and feel the Adam’s apple lift and lower while you swallow.
- Now, swallow and hold the Adam’s apple up for at least three seconds by squeezing your throat muscles.
Stretch Exercise
Frequency: ……………………………………..
- Tilt your head back, and open your mouth.
- Stick out your jaw forward, and then push your jaw upward toward your nose. You should feel a stretch along the front of your neck.
- Hold this position for five seconds.
Pitch Glides
Frequency: …………………………………..
- Sing “ee” starting in a low tone and then slowly raise your tone to your highest pitch.
- Hold pitch for 10 to 20 seconds.
Airway Protection Exercises
As you swallow, it is important for the voice box to close tightly to keep food or liquid from entering the lungs. Food and/or drink going the wrong way may mean you are aspirating. These exercises are designed to help the voice box close during swallowing.
Supraglotic Swallow
Frequency: ……………………………….
- Hold your breath tightly.
- Now, swallow your saliva twice.
- Release your breath with a sharp cough, and swallow again.
Super Supraglotic Swallow
Frequency: ………………………………
- Hold your breath tightly.
- Now, swallow your saliva twice whilst bearing down.
- Release your breath with a sharp cough, and swallow again.
Base of Tongue Exercises
The base of tongue is the “pump” that pushes food through the throat and into the food pipe (oesophagus). These exercises are designed to strengthen the base of tongue.
Masako Exercise
Frequency: ………………………………
- Stick out your tongue and hold it between your lips or teeth and try to swallow.
Effortful Swallow
Frequency: …………………………….
- Swallow as hard as you can with saliva. Push as hard as you can with the tongue against the roof of your mouth while you swallow.
Gargle (without fluid)
Frequency: …………………………..
- Pull your tongue back, make a gargle noise and hold for one second.
Yawn
Frequency: ………………………..
- Yawn, holding your tongue at the back for 5 to 10 seconds.
Jaw Exercises
Adequate mouth opening is essential for eating, drinking and oral hygiene. Reduced mouth opening is called trismus. These exercises are designed to increase flexibility.
Jaw Opening
Frequency: ………………………..
- Open your mouth as far as possible.
- Hold for 30 seconds and then close.
Jaw Rotation/Imaginary Chewing
Frequency: ……………………..
- Pretend to chew, rotating the jaw in circular motions in both directions.
- Start with the mouth closed and gradually open wider.
Contact numbers
If you need further advice, or have any problems, please contact the appropriate number below:
James Cook University Hospital
Adult Speech and Language Therapy Unit
Telephone: 01642 854497
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
Email: [email protected]
Patient Experience Team
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you would like to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Team who will help you to do this.
This service is based at James Cook University Hospital but also the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Telephone: 01642 854807 / Freephone: 0800 0282451
Email: [email protected]
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard (numbers below).
James Cook University Hospital
Marton Road
Middlesbrough
TS4 3BW
Telephone: 01642 850850
The Friarage Hospital
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL6 1JG
Telephone: tel:01609779911
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Leaflet ID: PI042 version 1
Review due: 16 March 2029