Swallow Preservation Exercises During Chemoradiation Therapy
The purpose of these swallow exercises is to maintain optimal
function of all muscles/structures used in swallowing.
Radiation treatment kills cancer cells but also damages healthy
tissue. Fibrosis- a medical term for the scarring and hardening
of tissues and structure exposed to radiation can set in. This
can lead to restricted range of motion and impairing your
ability to swallow.
We can counter these effects by optimizing flexibility of
movement through:
a. Range of Motion and Massage
b. Engaging in swallow activity daily
Perform the following exercises 3 times daily (three sets each):
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Gargling liquid 10 seconds 10 times,
Effortful swallow 10 times,
Mendelsohn maneuver 10 times,
Chug-a-Lug 3 ounces at once,
Tongue protrusion 10 times, tongue press 10 times
Managing Trismus After Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer
What is Trismus?
Restricted mouth opening due to stiffening of the tissues and muscles used to
open the jaw
 Massage (gently rub) your jaw muscles.
 Exercise your jaw muscles.
It’s important to help your mouth move and work like it did before your
radiation treatment.
Massage your jaw muscles
2-3 X a day
1. Place your index (pointer) and middle finger on your
cheekbone. Keeping your lips together, relax your jaw
(don’t clench your teeth).
2. Run your fingers down over your masseter muscle,
which ends at your bottom jaw (see Figure 3).
3. As you move your fingers, find areas that feel tender or tight.
4. Massage these areas with your fingers in a circular
motion for 30 seconds.
Exercise your jaw muscles
Helpful information before you start
 You can do these exercises while sitting or standing.
 It may be helpful to use a timer or clock to make sure
you hold the stretches long enough.
 Breathe normally. Do not hold your breath during the
exercises.
 Do the exercises slowly and smoothly. Do not make
any fast or jerky movements.
 Watch your movements in a mirror to make sure
you’re doing them correctly.
 You should feel a gentle stretch. They should not cause pain. If an
exercise is causing pain or discomfort, try doing it more gently. If
you still have pain or discomfort, stop
Active Range of Motion and Stretching Exercises
**Hold your head still when performing
2-3 x/day
1. Open your mouth as wide as you can, until you feel a
gentle stretch but no pain
a. Hold this stretch for 10 seconds, then relax. Take 1 full
breath between each repetition.
b. Repeat this 5
times.
2. Move your lower jaw to the left
a. Take 1 full breath between each repetition. Repeat 5 times
b. Move your jaw to the right
c. Take 1 full breath between each repetition. Repeat 5 times
3. Move your lower jaw to the right Hold
this stretch for 3 seconds, then relax. Take 1 full
breath between each repetition.
Repeat this 5 times.
Passive Stretching Exercise
1.
2.
3.
3.
4.
2-3 x/day
Wash hands with soap/water thoroughly
Place your thumb under your top front teeth.
Place the index (pointer) finger of your other hand on
your bottom front teeth
Open your mouth as wide as you can.
Push your
fingers gently against your teeth to give extra
resistance. This will help to keep your mouth from
closing. You should feel a gentle stretch, but no pain.
Hold this stretch for 5 to 10 seconds, then relax.
Take 1 full breath between each repetition.
Repeat this 5 times.
Keep good posture
Good posture means sitting a