Complete each exercise 3 to 5 times per day. Perform the exercises slowly. To get the full benefit of these exercises, they must be completed as prescribed:
Stick out your tongue straight. Using a piece of gauze or a washcloth, hold the tongue tip firmly. Try to pull your tongue back into your mouth. Gradually release, relax, and repeat 3 to 5 times.
Stick out your tongue. Using a tongue depressor or finger, apply light pressure to the tongue tip. Press the tongue tip against the tongue depressor or finger. As you increase the tongue pressure outward, increase your resistance with the tongue depressor or finger. Hold the position for 3 to 5 seconds, relax, and repeat 3 to 5 times.
Place tongue tip between front teeth and gently bite down to hold in place. Swallow your saliva. Feel the back of your tongue move. Relax and repeat 3 to 5 times.- Pretend to yawn. Feel the back of your tongue tense and pull backward. Repeat 3 to 5 times.
- Raise the tongue tip to the roof of your mouth just behind your teeth. Press firmly for 5 seconds. Relax and repeat 3 to 5 times.
- Raise the mid and back portions of the tongue to the roof of the mouth. Using only the mid and back portions of the tongue, pretend to remove peanut butter from the roof of the mouth. Move in a forward motion. Relax and repeat 3 to 5 times.
Complete these exercises 3 to 5 times daily:
Effortful Swallow
Swallow as hard as you can using all the muscles in your neck and face. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
Mendelsohn Manuever
Swallow and feel your Adam’s apple move upwards. Swallow again and hold the swallow when you feel your Adam’s apple rise. Hold this position for 3 to 5 seconds. Repeat 5 to 10 times.