NEW Dysphagia Exercise

Wada, S., Tohara, H., Iida, T., Inoue, M., Sato, M., & Ueda, K. (2012). Jaw-Opening exercise for insufficient opening of upper esophageal sphincter. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 93(11), 1995-1999.

The outcome of this no named new Dysphagia exercise is increasing hyoid elevation, Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) opening, pharynx passage time, and decreasing pharyngeal residue after swallowing at preexercise and postexercise evidenced by VFSS.

As per Dr. James Coyle this exercise is also designed to increase UES opening by using strengthening the anterior muscles of the floor of the mouth (submandibular suprahyoid) muscles. It exercises these muscles by depressing the mandible. We do it with gentle resistance and use the same schedule that is published in the studies on tongue strengthening. Coyle


During a swallow, the UES is open, and works closely b/c of the location of the cricopharyngeal muscle. The cricopharyngeal muscle is attached to the cricoid cartilage and is relaxed upon swallowing as it is pulled by the hyoid laryingeal structures. "The UES does not open automatically. Successful opening of the UES requires an anterior-superior traction of the hyoid and larynx and further UES relaxation and hyoid traction on the larynx precedes UES opening" Wade.   Further described, when the hyoid decreases laryngeal elevation can cause dysphagia resulting from UES opening.


This exercise involves jaw opening and multiple muscles therefore during ones' Oral Periphieral Exam Jaw as well as Labial muscles must be assessed for this exercise. It doesn't mean they have to have within normal limits, but it must be documented. The suprahyoid muscle group including mylohiyoid muscle, the anterior belly of the digastric muscles and the geniohyoid muscles are also involved in hyoid elevation and some in jaw opening. These muscles include the mylohyoid muscle, the anterior belly of the digastric muscles, and the geniohyoid muscle.

Given the above mechanisms, the authors performed a jaw-opening/strenghening exercise among patients with UES dysfunction and assessed the effect of this exercise on swallowing function with a videofluorographic swallowing study (VFSS).

Evidence has shown that there was significant improvements when you compare swallow functions pre-exercise and post-exercise.  Advances were demonstrated in the extent of upward movement of the hyoid bone, the amount of UES opening, and the timing of pharyeal passage.  Four (4) weeks after initiating the exercise. Some subjects evidenced decreased pharyngeal residue. No increases were noted in any subjects.

The conclusion demonstrated that this jaw-opening exercise is an effective treatment for dysphagia; caused by dysfunction of hyoid elevation and UES opening.