Exercises and Treatment for Speech and Swallowing Issues

Recently I sent a follow up email to a client with a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and a family history of Huntington's disease. The client had concerns around breathing and swallowing. Here are the self-care exercises we talked about and some areas of focus for future treatments.

1. Digestive Exercises focus on Esophagus and Lungs. There are many more self-care exercises on my website at https://www.nervewhisperer.solutions/  
The pdf with all the exercises are at https://www.nervewhisperer.solutions/uploads/3/7/7/1/37715907/digestive_system__smooth_muscles__self-care_exercises.pdf 

An Exercise Program for Organ Relief These exercises will provide relief from discomfort. They are not meant to treat the organ. They are only meant to decrease muscle spasm, often improve motion, and generally to alleviate discomfort. All of these exercises are performed in STANDING. These exercises can be performed often. There are no precautions. All of the exercises can be performed, or the exercises of choice can be performed. Always place a hand on the body over the organ. The exercises will take ONE Minute each. 

Esophagus (Center of Upper Chest) Place Either hand on the organ. Bend the right knee slightly. Lift the right shoulder girdle (shoulder shrug). Bring the left shoulder girdle forward. Tuck the chin in. 

Stomach (Bottom of Rib Cage slightly on Left)  Place Either hand on the organ. Place the right foot 5 inches in front of the left foot. Bend the right knee slightly. Rotate the head and neck to the right slightly. Bring the left ear towards the left shoulder. Look up slightly.

Lungs: Right Side Chest Place Left hand on the organ. Bring the shoulder girdles forwards. Slouch in standing. Bend both knees slightly. Reach with the right hand towards the left foot. Look down towards the right foot. 

Lungs: Left Side Chest  Place Either hand on the organ. Look up towards the ceiling. Bring the left ear toward the left shoulder girdle. Lift the left shoulder girdle (shoulder shrug

2. Disgust Exercises: A sense of balance, smooth controlled movements, such as walking are guided by the basal ganglia. The ability to recognize disgust in another person's face is also associated with the basal ganglia. People with a diagnosis of Huntington's disease lose both the ability to walk and move in a smooth controlled way and the ability to recognize disgust. Exercise and movement has been shown to light up the basal ganglia and slow the deterioration. Imagining something disgust also lights up the basal ganglia. Thesis based on client results: Spending a few minutes a day thinking about a disgusting food can light up, bring better blood flow and function to the basal ganglia, resulting in better movement and brain health. https://www.academia.edu/17427646/Disgust_Exercises_for_Balance_A_Third_Culture_Kids_Perspective_on_the_World_Food_and_the_Brain_Disgusting_Foods_Beautiful_Truth_Poster_Presentation 

3. Spinal Breathing: Breathe in through the nose and as you breathe in lift the top of your head as if a crane were lifting you up, elongating the neck and spine. As you breathe out through your mouth let your shoulders relax down and the natural curves of the neck come back. Do this for 3 or 4 breaths. 

4. Visualizations focused on the lung meridian, the color white, metal elements. One way is to visualize yourself wrapped in a cozy white blanket or pick up a metal spoon and notice all the textures, sensations, color, curves etc.   

5. "Clicker" treatment as we discussed in our session as it seemed particularly helpful. Focused on acupuncture point Lung one and could do all the way down the arm on each acupuncture point on the lung meridian. The other point is just to the side of the sternal notch below the collar bone. Here is the link to buy a "clicker" on Amazon it is about $98. https://amzn.to/45NYuJj 

6. Other treatment ideas for physical therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, craniosacral therapists, Strain counterstrain or Myofascial Release practitioners or other practitioners include focusing on the following areas:
a. Basal ganglia (smooth movements, coordinated movements, disgusts, and more)
b. Thalamus (sensation, swallowing well requires proper sensation of food in the throat)
c. Cranial nerves (especially glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal but also facial nerve, trigeminal nerve and vagus nerve.)
d. Spinal nerve in the neck particularly C3, C4, C5 (nerves to phrenic nerve and the respiratory diaphragm).