Swallow Exercises:   (If you feel any pain or discomfort, discontinue exercise and consult a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).  All exercises are best completed under the direction of a SLP

1. Effortful Swallow:  Take a sip of water, hold, then swallow with effort.  Complete 25 times with no coughing.  See a SLP if you cough when completing this exercise.

 2.  Lingual Strengthening/Coordination:  Push tongue against the roof of the mouth, relax, and repeat for 5 minutes

3.  Chin Tuck Against Resistance:  Place a ball or rolled-up towel under your chin and squeeze down, contracting your neck muscles.   Hold for 60 seconds.  Repeat 3 times.  Next, push your chin down hard into the towel and hold for 3 seconds.  Relax briefly.  Repeat the 3-second hold then relax for 30 times.  

Instead of a  rolled-up towel, use an inflated rubber ball

Contraindications:   Chin tuck against resistance is not recommended for patients with chronic neck pain, a history of neck surgery, or a tracheostomy.