Nasopharyngeal cancer is a highly prevalent tumor in southern China, and radiation therapy as the main treatment tool has very good efficacy. However, because radiation therapy can also cause certain damage to normal tissues, many patients will have swallowing disorder after treatment. In response to the above situation, patients can take certain treatment measures to prevent or delay the occurrence of swallowing disorder before, or just before, it occurs. The following are some simple training methods to improve the swallowing difficulties of nasopharyngeal cancer patients after radiation therapy.
1. Training to improve mouth opening: (1) mouth opening exercise training: Patients can face the mirror and slowly open their mouths and then slowly close them. Repeat 20-30 times in 3 groups per day.
(2) Lateral jaw movement training: Patients slightly open their mouths, move their jaws to the left side to the end, stay at the end for 2 seconds, then return to the midline and then do the same to the right side. 3 sets per day, 20 repetitions per set.
(3) Jaw forward training: The patient extends the jaw forward to the end, stays at the end for 2 seconds, and then returns to the original position. 3 sets per day, 20 repetitions per set.
(4) Bite muscle strength training: you can bite gauze or tongue depressor. 2 sets per day, each set of 10 repetitions, each action maintained for 5 seconds.
(5) occlusal muscle relaxation training: the patient relaxes the vertical occlusal muscle fibers with the finger belly, 2-3 times a day, 2-3 minutes per group.
2.Soft tissue stretching training: Patients need to stretch the soft tissues of the neck, cheeks, etc., massage and relax to maintain the elasticity of soft tissues.
3.Mouth and lip movement training: (1) alternate pronunciation: wu/yi, 3 groups per day, 10 repetitions per group.
(2) Cheek puffing: resistible, 3 sets per day, 10 repetitions per set.
(3) Inhaling cheeks: 3 sets per day, 10 repetitions per group.
(4) lip protrusion and side pull: 3 sets per day, 10 repetitions per group.
(4) Tongue movement training: (1) Passive training: passively pull the tongue in all directions, 2 sets per day, 10 repetitions per set.
(2) Active training: active tongue extension, retraction, licking the left and right corners of the mouth, squeezing the inside of the cheeks, licking the upper and lower lips, rolling up towards the soft palate; tongue licking around the mouth and lips; tongue resistance training with tongue depressor; 2 sets per day, 10 repetitions per set.
5.Blowing bubble training: place your hand on your upper abdomen, inhale through your nose and blow bubbles with your mouth (straw placed in the water). Train 2-3 sets per day, 3-5 minutes per set.