Radiotherapy swallow and lymphoedema exercises

Swallow and Lymphoedema Exercises

Radiotherapy Swallow Exercises (adapted from The Leeds Cancer Centre and Worcester Lymphoedema service)

These exercises are designed to support you with your swallow rehabilitation before, during and after radiotherapy.

Following head and neck radiotherapy, you are at a higher risk of developing lymphoedema. This is swelling caused by a buildup of lymph fluid in your neck and face. To reduced this, it is important to encourage drainage of this fluid by exercising the facial, neck and shoulder muscles.

Give yourself 10 minutes to complete these exercises.

Lymphoedema Exercises

• Carry out at least twice a day, slowly and rhythmically. They should not cause any pain or discomfort.
• Try to use all of your facial muscles as normal to avoid over-exertion – this may increase the swelling.

Gentle exercises to the neck will also help shoulder and neck movement, as follows:

• Turning head slowly side to side.
• Moving head slowly up and down.
• Gentle circling of the head.
• Shrugging the shoulders.
• Rotating the shoulders backwards then forwards.

Repeat these 5 times a day if possible.

Swallowing exercises

Aim to complete this set of exercises at least 3 times a day on the days you receive radiotherapy (Monday to Friday)

Exercise 1: Jaw stretch
Open your mouth wide to stretch your jaw. Hold for 30 seconds.
Rest.

Repeat 3 times

*If you experience any pain with this exercise, please discuss with your Speech and Language Therapist.

Exercise 2: Tongue hold and swallow
Push the tip of your tongue forward between your front teeth (or gums). Gently hold the tip of your tongue in this position.
Swallow your saliva without releasing the tongue tip.

Repeat 5 times (you may need to moisten your mouth in between repetitions).

Exercise 3: Tongue press
Put the front of your tongue up against the roof of your mouth.
Push the tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth and hold this pressure for 10 seconds.

Repeat 5 times.

Exercise 4: Effortful swallow
Gather some saliva in your mouth and imagine there is a golf ball mixed in with it that you must swallow.
Tuck your chin in tightly.
Swallow hard, using all the muscles in your throat to push the golf ball through.

Repeat 5 times (you may need to moisten your mouth between each repetition).

Exercise 5: Pitch glide
Say “eee” in your highest possible pitch (like a squeaky mouse). Hold for 10 seconds.

Repeat 3 times

Build them into your routine by attaching them to mealtimes or something else you do regularly (e.g. mouthcare).

If you have pain, time your exercises with when your pain is best controlled.

Talk to your Speech and Language Therapist if you have any difficulties completing these exercises – we may need to adjust them.

Things to look out for:

• Coughing or choking / shortness of breath / wet voice when eating or drinking
• Food or drink sticking in your throat
• Recent chest infection.

If you have any concerns about your swallowing, we are here to help.

WRH SLT
Telephone: 01905

If your symptoms or condition worsens, or if you are concerned about anything, please call your GP, 111, or 999.

Patient Experience
We know that being admitted to hospital can be a difficult and unsettling time for you and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please do speak with a member of staff on the ward or in the relevant department who will do their best to answer your questions and reassure you. 

Feedback
Feedback is really important and useful to us – it can tell us where we are working well and where improvements can be made. There are lots of ways you can share your experience with us including completing our Friends and Family Test – cards are available and can be posted on all wards, departments and clinics at our hospitals. We value your comments and feedback and thank you for taking the time to share this with us.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
If you have any concerns or questions about your care, we advise you to talk with the nurse in charge or the department manager in the first instance as they are best placed to answer any questions or resolve concerns quickly. If the relevant member of staff is unable to help resolve your concern, you can contact the PALS Team. We offer informal help, advice or support about any aspect of hospital services & experiences.

Our PALS team will liaise with the various departments in our hospitals on your behalf, if you feel unable to do so, to resolve your problems and where appropriate refer to outside help.

If you are still unhappy you can contact the Complaints Department, who can investigate your concerns. You can make a complaint orally, electronically or in writing and we can advise and guide you through the complaints procedure.

How to contact PALS:
Telephone Patient Services: 0300 123 1732 or via email at: [email protected]

Opening times:
The PALS telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Please be aware that you may need to leave a voicemail message, but we aim to return your call within one working day.

If you are unable to understand this leaflet, please communicate with a member of staff.  

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