Dysphagia is a condition where you experience difficulty swallowing foods and/or drinks. Dysfunction in the swallowing tract/esophagus, gastresophageal reflux disease and loss of muscle control due to stroke are all causes of dysphagia. If you experience this condition, physical therapists may recommend swallowing exercises to strengthen and re-train the muscles or utilize electric muscle stimulation to improve your ability to swallow.
Pursed Lips-Swallow
This exercise is used to trigger your swallowing muscles in your throat. Obtain a clean popsicle stick. Close your mouth halfway over the popsicle stick and close the lips over it. Suck on the popsicle stick for three to five seconds, then release the stick and push the tongue to the roof of the mouth, then move it backward to swallow the saliva produced using the popsicle stick.
Motor Exercises
These exercises involve stretching the muscle and body parts used in swallowing to their fullest positions. Begin with closed lips, then open the mouth as wide as you possibly can. Hold this position for three to five seconds, then relax the mouth. Stick the tongue out as far as you can --- you may wish to use a tongue depressor to hold the tongue down, which uses resistance to build muscle. Hold for three to five seconds, then release. Open your jaw as far as you can, keeping it open for three to five seconds, then release. You can repeat the exercises an additional two times through.
Liquid Chewing
In some patients, chewing stimulates the swallowing reflex. This means foods and drinks that do not normally require chewing to swallow may require the chewing motion in order to swallow normally, according to the California Southern University. Take a sip of water and make a chewing motion with the mouth for several chews, then swallow the water. Vary the amount of chews you perform to determine how many are necessary to stimulate swallowing.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation therapy for the throat is known as VitalStim Therapy. The United States Food and Drug Adminstration approved VitalStim in 2002 as a dysphagia treatment. To perform, small leads are placed on the front of your throat, and activated as a therapist works with you on physical therapy exercises to encourage swallowing. Sessions typically last an hour and can help to re-train your throat muscles for up to one month, according to the VitalStim website. Electrical stimulation is associated with improving muscle function and accelerating wound healing in those who have experienced trauma or surgery to the throat, according to Medical News Today.
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