What are the functional exercises for nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy

What are the functional exercises for nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy?

Difficulty opening the mouth is one of the most common chronic reactions after irradiation in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This reaction is irreversible and there is no special treatment, so prevention should be the primary focus. Patients should perform appropriate functional exercises within three months after returning home to prevent complications.

The specific method is as follows:

1. Mouth opening exercise

Method: Hold for 5 seconds before closing

Frequency: 100 times in the morning, afternoon and evening

Objective: To prevent difficulty in opening the mouth caused by temporomandibular joint fibrosis

2. Cheek puffing exercise

Method: Close your lips and then puff them up to expand your cheeks as much as possible, then stop for 5 seconds and expel the air

Frequency: 2 to 3 times a day, no less than 20 times each time

Purpose: To prevent fibrosis of the temporomandibular joint and its surrounding muscle tissue, increase tympanic cavity pressure, and reduce ear complications

3. Teeth rubbing and biting exercise

Method: Move the upper and lower teeth left and right and bite gently

Frequency: 2 to 3 times a day, about 100 times each time

Purpose: Move the temporomandibular joint; strengthen teeth and exercise chewing muscles

4. Tongue flicking exercise

Method: Open your mouth slightly and let your tongue bounce in your mouth, making a "da da" sound.

2 times a day, no less than 20 times each time

Purpose: To prevent the degeneration of the tongue, oral mucosa, and masticatory muscles

5. Rinse your mouth

Method: rinse mouth with warm water at 35~40℃ after each meal, combined with cheek sucking

Frequency: Rinse your mouth thoroughly for 1 to 3 minutes

Purpose: To remove food residues between teeth, clean teeth and exercise gum muscles

6. Swallowing Exercise

Method: Swallowing exercise to make saliva swallow

Frequency: Several times a day

Purpose: To reduce tongue dryness, tongue movement, teeth and cheek muscles, and prevent oral function deterioration and swallowing difficulties