Swallowing Exercises and Postures for Dysphagia
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Dysphagia can make eating and drinking difficult, uncomfortable, and unsafe. Basic swallow therapy often uses a small set of targeted exercises and positioning strategies to improve muscle function, support swallow timing, and reduce the risk of aspiration.
The techniques below include three common swallowing exercises and two swallowing postures that are often used as part of a broader treatment plan. They are simple in concept, but they should be used carefully and ideally with guidance from a speech-language pathologist, especially if swallowing problems are ongoing.
What these dysphagia techniques are meant to do
Swallow therapy strategies usually fall into two groups:
Exercises that aim to strengthen or improve coordination of the swallowing muscles Postures or positioning maneuvers that help protect the airway during a swallow
The goal is not just to make swallowing feel easier. The bigger goal is to help food and liquid move more safely through the throat while lowering the chance that material enters the airway.
Before trying any swallowing exercise or posture
A few basics matter for nearly everyone with dysphagia:
Sit fully upright when eating or drinking Aim for a 90-degree seated position whenever possible If eating in bed, sit up as straight as possible Take small bites and small sips
These steps are especially important because posture affects airway protection and swallow efficiency.
Three swallowing exercises commonly used for dysphagia
- Masako maneuver
The Masako maneuver is used to improve the function of the back of the throat during swallowing.
How to do it:
Stick your tongue out slightly.
Gently hold the tongue between the teeth.
Swallow while keeping the tongue in that position.
Typical practice amount: 10 repetitions, 3 times a day.
This exercise is simple to describe but can feel unusual at first. The key is to keep the tongue held in place throughout the swallow.
- Mendelsohn maneuver
The Mendelsohn maneuver is more challenging. It focuses on the upward movement of the larynx, also called the voice box, during swallowing.
Normally, when you swallow, the Adam's apple rises and then lowers again. This exercise emphasizes holding that lifted position briefly.
How to do it:
Begin a swallow.
When the larynx reaches its highest point, squeeze the throat muscles firmly.
Press the tongue tightly against the roof of the mouth.
Hold that position for 3 to 5 seconds.
Relax.
Typical practice amount: 5 to 10 repetitions, 3 times a day.
During this maneuver, breath is naturally held. That breath-holding component is part of what the exercise is meant to strengthen.
- Supraglottic swallow
The supraglottic swallow is intended to help with swallow timing and airway protection.
How to do it:
Hold your breath.
Swallow.
Cough immediately after the swallow.
This sequence is short but specific. The cough after swallowing helps clear material that may have approached the airway.
Two swallowing postures that can help reduce aspiration risk
Postures are different from exercises. They are not mainly for strengthening. Instead, they are used to improve safety during swallowing by changing the path through the throat or helping protect the airway.
- Chin tuck
The chin tuck is one of the most common positioning techniques for swallowing problems.
How to do it:
Right before swallowing, tuck the chin down toward the chest.
Keep the head down during the swallow.
Swallow firmly.
Lift the head back up only after the swallow is complete.
This position helps protect the airway and may make swallowing safer for some people. In certain cases, it can be the main posture that allows a person to swallow with better safety.
- Head turn swallow
The head turn swallow is often most useful when one side of the throat or vocal cord area is weaker, such as after a stroke.
How to do it:
Turn the head toward the affected side, meaning the weaker side.
Swallow while keeping the head turned.
This position helps narrow the weaker side of the throat so food and liquid are more likely to move down the stronger side.
For example, if swallowing weakness affects the left side of the throat, the head is turned to the left during the swallow.
Extra swallowing tips that often help day to day
Beyond formal exercises and postures, several practical habits can improve swallowing safety:
Use small bites and small sips Do one or more dry swallows after each bite or sip After solid food, follow with a sip of liquid With liquids, hold them in the mouth for 2 to 3 seconds before swallowing
These strategies may help with control, timing, and clearance of food or liquid from the throat.
Common mistakes to avoid Eating or drinking while reclined Taking large gulps or oversized bites Rushing through meals Using a posture incorrectly, such as lifting the head too soon during a chin tuck Trying advanced maneuvers without guidance if swallowing is severely impaired
The Mendelsohn maneuver in particular can be difficult to perform correctly, so technique matters.
When to get professional help
Persistent swallowing trouble should be evaluated by a qualified speech-language pathologist. Professional assessment is important if you have:
Coughing or choking with meals A sensation of food sticking Difficulty with liquids Swallowing problems after stroke Repeated chest infections or concern for aspiration
These exercises and postures are basic tools, but dysphagia treatment is often individualized. The safest and most effective plan depends on the cause of the swallowing problem and which phase of the swallow is impaired.
Quick reference checklist
Masako maneuver: Tongue between teeth, then swallow. 10 times, 3 times daily.
Mendelsohn maneuver: Swallow, hold the larynx high for 3 to 5 seconds. 5 to 10 times, 3 times daily.
Supraglottic swallow: Hold breath, swallow, then cough.
Chin tuck: Chin down to chest during the swallow.
Head turn swallow: Turn toward the weaker side during the swallow.
Meal safety basics: Sit upright, use small bites and sips, add dry swallows, and follow solids with liquid.
Takeaway
Basic swallow therapy for dysphagia often centers on a few proven principles: strengthen swallowing muscles, improve timing, protect the airway, and use safer eating habits. The Masako maneuver, Mendelsohn maneuver, supraglottic swallow, chin tuck, and head turn swallow each serve a different purpose.
If swallowing problems continue, worsen, or seem linked to stroke or aspiration risk, professional evaluation is the next step.