Head and Neck Cancers
Rehabilitation of head and neck cancer survivors may be complicated and involve interventions for speech, swallowing, breathing, pain, fatigue, cervical and shoulder dysfunction.
Speech therapy can help with:
- Trismus, a tonic contracture of the muscles of mastication that can occur after surgery or radiation
- Swallowing deficits
- Speech deficits
- Nutritional needs including weaning from tube feedings as appropriate
- Quality of life
- Pain management
What to Expect From Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers
Therapy may include:
- Oral motor exercises to strengthen and improve your ability to swallow safely
- Neck and shoulder range-of-motion exercises to improve pain and flexibility, and reduce scar tissue
- Patient education on compensatory strategies for swallowing
- Patient education on treatment for trismus including use of TheraBite® as indicated
- Nutritional counseling and diet upgrades based on swallowing assessments
- Referral to PT/OT if lymphedema is suspected
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