Difficulty swallowing can interrupt tasty meals or even take the joy out of your favorite Penny Drip latte. When you seek treatment for a swallowing disorder, medically known as dysphagia, your specialist will go through a list of options, including medication, surgery and exercises.
Let’s go through some tongue-strengthening exercises you can safely practice at home to boost your treatment.
Tongue Strengthening Exercises
Your speech-language specialist may recommend one or more of the following to strengthen your tongue for easier swallowing:
- Resistance press (center). Stick your tongue straight out and press a spoon or tongue depressor against it. At the same time, push your tongue against the object, creating resistance. Hold for a few seconds, then relax. Repeat this motion five times. Next, place the object underneath your tongue and repeat the same resistance exercise five more times.
- Resistance press (side-to-side). Extend your tongue toward one corner of your mouth. Press the object against the side of your tongue while pushing your tongue into it. Hold briefly, then relax. Repeat five times on one side, then switch to the other side and repeat five times.
- Tongue curl. Lift your tongue to the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth, and curl it backward toward your throat. Hold for a few seconds, then relax. Repeat five times.
In addition to tongue-strengthening exercises, they may recommend case-specific mobility exercises. Common mobility exercises include pretending to yawn or gargle while holding your tongue at the back of your mouth, and dry swallowing while squeezing your swallowing muscles.
Keeping a Swallowing Exercise Log
Keeping a log will help you track your process and remind you to perform the exercises recommended by your speech-language specialist.
Ensuring Safety While Performing Swallowing Exercises
At-home swallowing exercises are safe, but you should always consult a speech-language specialist before attempting to manage them at home. Our specialists can identify the area where the swallowing process breaks down—mouth, throat or esophagus—and work towards the best solution.
To learn more about your swallowing disorder treatment options, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today for an appointment with one of our specialists.