Dysphagia Exercise Challenge to Improve Swallowing Function

[@Jodianne7]

Super, happy you're back ! Really missed you. ❤

[@SpeechSecrets]

Aww, thanks Jodianne! Please let me know what you think of the new videos I'm making! And feel free to share if there are topics you are looking for information on in particular.

[@AmandaWoodard-xh9gf]

Temporarily. Thank you

[@romgtr]

I’ve been seeing a speech therapist using electrical stimulation which has helped me from 0% to now about 80%. This was a result of a stroke. I can now eat solid foods, had a Philly Cheesesteak last week. Thank you Lord Jesus and Our Lady. 😊

[@SpeechSecrets]

Sounds like you are doing vital stim therapy. So glad to hear your results have allowed you to return to enjoying a cheesesteak! That's a serious success.

[@edwinengelbrecht3377]

I also had a same experience after my stroke last year. My Swollowing is still problematic and still struggling to swollow solids..... soo frustrating.

[@SpeechSecrets]

That is so frustrating and such a big factor for quality of life. I would love to hear from other people watching/with dysphagia and their insights with the journey. Sending blessings for your ongoing recovery.

[@ProppahYisrael]

The electrical stimulation does work it stop me from drooling and my speech is understandable now

[@shaynaformity1384]

I don't have any trouble eating, drinking, even taking multiple pills at once, but these exercises were all difficult. The Masako maneuver was so hard to do. With my tongue in that position, I'd tell myself to swallow and nothing would happen. I was able to somehow get myself to swallow about twice. For the Mendelsohn, I had to try at least 5 times before I could get my hyoid to stay up at all. Then lots of huge yawns and my ears popping, and I feel like my skull is reshaping itself. Thank you again. Your videos, combined with Katy Bowman's Nutritious Movement channel and books, are giving me a new life. My body is finally learning how to function the way it was always meant to. All the places I didn't even know were stuck are coming unstuck, and it just feels so right. You're an angel, Kasondra. May all good things come to you!

[@SpeechSecrets]

What kind words! Yes, these exercises are challenging for most folks. We generally don’t think about our swallowing unless it becomes problematic. Thanks for sharing your experience and the Katy Bowman resource, I’ll check it out. I’m rooting for you in your body journey!

[@jeffhinzman7219]

Thanks!

[@SpeechSecrets]

Thanks again so much Jeff! Hope the video was helpful for your client’s learning.

[@allenrobertson-bobwhitevin8167]

Thank you for making this video. Diagnosed with Dysphagia and working with Speech Therapist, who prescribed these 3 along with pitch glides and lips exercises "oooo" - "eeee". This video is helping me get started. 🙂

[@rad3alyemen]

Thank you for posting this video! I'm away with no good healthcare where I live. I really appreciate you!

[@SpeechSecrets]

You are so welcome! Hope you are able to find the resources you need to guide you. Please let me know if you have any video subject request!

[@charleneji6759]

Thank you so much for the video. Found this video yesterday, and my hubby has been practicing for two days. He thinks there's improvement. Will keep exercising.

[@SpeechSecrets]

Thanks for sharing Charlene! So glad your hubby is finding it helpful!

[@sarahsapphire511]

This was so much harder to do then i thought a few years ago i had dysphagia due to severe gerd it was about 3-4 months on a very soft liquid diet and i even struggled to get liquids down at times. Well here i go again only 33 started having problems with my stomach but normally ive heen good about keeping it under control. Well it was a bad flare up and now im suffering from dysphagia again cant get in with the doctor for a while waiting for a referral and im just so extremely upset and scared to be going through this all over again. I used your excercises in the past and they really helped me alot. So ill definitely be doing these again

[@SpeechSecrets]

Hey Sarah, I’m so sorry to hear about your dysphagia struggles. I am sure there are others reading/watching that can relate and empathize. Eating is such big part of one’s quality of life. I hope you’re able to access the specialists you need and am glad you’re finding these videos helpful in the meantime. Hang in there! 🙌

[@Someone-vn9ce]

I am having the exact same problem; severe GERD, I struggle to swallow anything, even liquids, I have nausea and my stomach always feels full. I am waiting to get into see a gastroenterologist. I am curious what treatment they had you on besides the liquid diet. I am also nervous and scared over this. Unless people have experienced this, I don't think they can understand just how scary it feels. I have been through a lot of different illnesses in my life, considered worse than this, but for some reason this scares me far worse.

[@kotteeswarisivakumar3847]

Thank you mam

[@SpeechSecrets]

Most welcome 😊

[@kotteeswarisivakumar3847]

It's useful us Thank you so much mam

[@SpeechSecrets]

My pleasure! You’re so welcome Kottees. Glad you are finding helpful.

[@ShivamMishra-rh6fv]

Ma'am, please create a therapy video on how to improve 's' sound pronunciation. My 's' sound comes out like 'sh'. Also, when I speak quickly, my words don't come out correctly." Please help me."

[@SpeechSecrets]

Hi Shivam! I’ve been considering doing a phoneme specific video series, so thanks for the feedback. I’ll add your request to my list. You may find my speech disorders video to be a useful resource: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHTdpI1rp7N5r80si=zpM8LEGF94WXsluP

[@saleemahfareed4495]

I hope you have exercise for snoring please 😊

[@SpeechSecrets]

not yet!

So should we wait? We need it so much

[@SpeechSecrets]

I have no immediate plans for videos on this topic but hope you’re able to find a good resource elsewhere. Feel free to share it if you do!

[@CarolineYvonneHallstrom2005]

This is unrelated but I can't swallow around a crush. I see someone just absolutely gorgeous and suddenly I can't stop smiling and I can't swallow my spit. At least not until my mouth is really full. Sometimes I have to look up a little and talk like I have a hot potato in my mouth to keep it balanced. I guess my brain takes the "girl drools over her crush" thing literally, haha.

[@SpeechSecrets]

Stimuli affecting the central nervous system and causing tightening of laryngeal muscles or changing of respiratory patterns could have a secondary impact on swallowing. The central nervous system is also involved in the automatic swallow reflex and respiratory patterns. Here are some related articles to review: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37942834/#:~:text=Conclusion%3A%20While%20anxiety%2Fdepression%20may,those%20with%20objective%20swallowing%20dysfunction. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4526113/

[@mega00760]

First time doing this was able to do 6 on both excerises , very hard to do

[@SpeechSecrets]

These are challenging exercises! Way to go!

[@Someone-vn9ce]

I am waiting for a referral to a gastroenterologist. I am having severe GERD, nausea, and I can't seem to swallow even liquids. I tried the exercises, but can't do the 2nd one at all. I just could not swallow with my tongue between my teeth. Is that normal?

[@SpeechSecrets]

Hi! The masako is definitively the most challenging for the majority of people I have worked with. Glad you are getting in for your referral to find out the cause of your dysphagia!

[@Someone-vn9ce]

@@SpeechSecrets thank you! It is good to know that isn't abnormal.

[@hekuranqaka5695]

i spew during these exercises, is that a relief ?

[@karinreynolds4144]

Thank you so much!! Have you heard of Vital Stim to electronically stimulate cricopharengeal musle?

[@SpeechSecrets]

Yes, I have! VitalStim is a brand of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) devices. It is typically used in conjunction with traditional exercises and can target various muscles depending on placement. I do not have personal experience using it but have heard success stories from colleagues. The research seems to support it, albeit limited, but it remains a hot topic in the SLP world. www.dovepress.com/effectiveness-of-neuromuscular-electrical-stimulation-on-post-stroke-d-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CIA

[@karinreynolds4144]

@@SpeechSecrets Thanks Kasondra, would love to give it a try. In the meantime I am doing the exercises with you every evening.🙏

[@diviyachettri4215]

Hello there thankyou for the video, I did these excercise and after that i feel ing uncomfortable feela like swelling pls helps

[@vivekraval.official]

Mam. One side of my lips closes and another does not since my childhood when i talk so it makes lips dry very fast as one side lips touches on each character. What to do to make one side not touch when i speak or make both side touch instead of one. Even my smile is one sided because of that. Plz make a video for that. Thanks.

[@SpeechSecrets]

Hey there! Thanks for commenting. I unfortunately legally cannot make any person specific recommendations. I hope you’re able to ask your medical provider for an assessment so they can consider the factors and physiology that cause this asymmetry. Understanding the cause helps know how to address it! Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope others can relate to it. 🙌

[@patdawson3555]

I have no problem eating but rather drinking water and swallow pills.

[@SpeechSecrets]

This is a common. Liquid tends to be more difficult for many people to managing safely swallowing, partially because it moves down the throat, faster than solids. Please let me know if you find any of my videos helpful!

[@vishalchaudhary-nf6gr]

Thanks for explaining dysphagia so well. I faced difficulty swallowing, and it was distressing. Planet Ayurveda’s Digestion Support and Amalaki Rasayan significantly eased my symptoms. I’m amazed by how effective their products are!

[@SpeechSecrets]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Vishal! I'm glad you found some relief from your dysphagia symptoms. Wishing you continued improvement on your journey!

[@janet6962]

I have to take a small sip of water each time with any of the exercises otherwise I can't swallow that fast between exercises.

[@SpeechSecrets]

Hi Janet 👋 Yes that’s common for folks to be able to trigger a swallow. Gathering up swallowing saliva can also be helpful for achieving the effortful swallow.

[@janet6962]

@@SpeechSecrets Thank you!

[@SpeechSecrets]

Most welcome! 🤗

[@bradbishoff9766]

1. 😂😂

[@lesliedhelm]

Thanks!

[@SpeechSecrets]

Wow! Thank you so much Leslie! I appreciate this!

[@PeggyMeserve]

Thanks!

[@SpeechSecrets]

Wow, Peggy! Thank you so much for your generosity. Your support means a lot and helps keep me motivated to continue educating. Please feel free to share your areas of interest. Many blessings to you 🙌