Appendix E: How and When the Masako Strengthens
Smead, K. (2008). Strengthening the swallow. Advance Online for Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists, 18(33), 5.Retrieved April 27, 2009, from http://speech-language-pathology-audiology.advanceweb.com/Editorial/Content/Editorial.aspx?CC=190090
• 2 types of exercises used in the treatment of speech and swallowing disorders are strength training and stretching.
• Efficacy for strength training with patients exhibiting spasticity is questionable, but exercises can be effective with patients that exhibit high or low muscle tone levels if exercise principles are incorporated appropriately.
• Resistances exercises for strengthening muscles must target specific behaviors, must tax the system beyond its usual use, and continuously do so. Exercises for treating dysphagia should utilize functional swallowing actions.
• Several strengthening exercises to treat dysphagia utilize resistance. The Masako maneuver is one of these. It taxes the pharyngeal constrictor muscles by securing the tongue tip between the teeth during the swallow.
> Back to Main Article
Posted by Nechama Heitler