While alternative treatments exist, throat cancer is traditionally treated with a series of chemotherapy, radiation treatment and surgery, if possible. One or all three of these forms of treatment can leave your throat muscles in a weakened or atrophied state, resulting in a decrease in audibility, as well as diminished muscle strength in your neck and shoulder muscles. Strengthening exercises and vocal exercises are the keys to successfully building back these weakened muscles after throat cancer.
Rest
Before beginning a successful rehabilitation of your throat and neck muscles, it is important to rest for several weeks before your doctor clears you for strengthening exercises. Therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy often inflame the neck muscles and tissues, resulting in painful swelling and an overall reduction in range of motion. Even after finishing your specific therapy, it is important to rest your neck muscles, limiting your overall range of motion while applying ice to your muscles to reduce swelling. You may need to rest your throat muscles for a week or several weeks depending on how your body has reacted to your specific therapy.
Stretching
After weeks of rest and inactivity, it will be important to stretch the muscles in your neck and throat through a series of range of motion and extension exercises. These exercises may initially need to be administered by a physical therapist if you are having trouble moving your neck unassisted. Neck stretching exercises range from neck flexions to neck rotations. To perform a neck flexion, sit in a chair with your back straight and feet flat on the floor. From there, slowly lower your chin down to your chest, holding this position for a count of 15 seconds before relaxing.
Strengthening Exercises
Building muscle and strength in your neck will ultimately require a neck strengthening regimen. These exercises are designed to build the muscles in and around your neck, providing your head with additional support, as well as developing the muscles that have atrophied during your chemotherapy. Strengthening exercises range from isometric exercises to neck bridge exercises. To perform a basic isometric exercise, sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat and chin parallel to the ground. Bend your right arm at the elbow, placing your right hand on the right side of your head. From there, attempt to bend your head toward your right shoulder. As you do, provide resistance with your right hand, making it impossible to get your head down to your shoulder. Hold this position for 10 seconds or until you become fatigued.
Vocal Exercises
In addition to your throat and neck muscles, your actual vocal chords may have become inflamed during your cancer treatments, making it either difficult or painful to talk. Due to inactivity, you will have to build these muscles, as well, through exercise and therapy. A basic vocal exercise you can perform is referred to as lip trill. Breathe in deeply, exhaling by blowing through your lips. As you blow out, make a buzzing sound, vibrating your lips as you do so. Continue the exhale for as long as you can before relaxing.
