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exercises for throat weakness

brianap
brianap
Over a year ago I started having swalloing difficulties. I was assessed and it seemed to bt due weak muscles on one side of my throat. I was sent home and told to eat carefullly.
Just had a follow up yesterday. I asked if there were any exercies to help strengthen the throat muscles. She said sure, printed out a page with four exercises and asked me to call her in a month if there was any improvement, as she was very curious to know.

Firstly, I was surpried, sort of, that no one ever mentioned trying to strengthen the muscles.

Secondly, it appears that no one has looked into whether or not strengthening can be beneficial, even thouhgh it comes from a neurological problem.

Lastly, has anyone tried this and what were your results?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I don't have first hand experience but I just met a woman with swallowing issues due to MS. Her GP told her to take up singing, take voice lessons, join a choir and practice everyday. She said it has helped immensely, most of her swallowing issues are gone and her lung function is greatly improved even though she didn't realize it was impaired until it started getting better. She said the only thing she needs to work on is being able to carry a tune!

Might be worth a try.
AusSue
AusSue
Sorry you are struggling with this. Are you taking note of which foods are the problem? I know with me it is certain foods & that can even vary. I make sure I am drinking while eating & take a sip between mouthfulls too.
Exercises can help & are well worth doing. I had the swallowing & speech difficulties & they keep rearing their heads often so that I have to slow speech, eat carefully & sometimes go to softer foods etc.

When it happens I get out the exercises with different sounds/words & do that & concentrate on breathing, drinking with food, eating easy to digest food (bread is a real issue for me) & cut up fruit into small bits to eat & often peel too.
Keep going with the exercises, they should help in time, they sure wont hurt.
Hugs