Head Turn Right or Left Strategy
Hi there if you are watching this video you, your patient or your loved one has been recommended to use a head turn right or left when drinking and/or eating. Please remember this video and strategy is only to be used under the recommendation of your speech-language pathologist. If you notice consistent coughing, choking, discomfort or wet voice when eating or drinking with this strategy please stop immediately and consult your medical team before any further use.
Our hope with this strategy is to increase coordination of your swallow to improve your safety and comfort while eating. This strategy is designed to direct food or drinks towards the stronger lateral channel of the pharynx. Your head is turned to either the left or the right side, typically toward the damaged or weak side to divert the food to the stronger channel. However the opposite side may be attempted if there is limited success when your SLP trials the strategy one way in a FEES or MBSS.
As the name implies you will be turning your head towards the shoulder whilst keeping the rest of your body facing forward. Concentrate on looking or turning your head ‘all the way over your shoulder. Do not swallow until your head is all the way turned. Once in position, do not move your head back to the front until you have completed swallowing. Sometimes you may notice you swallow more than once for a bite or sip. You will know you have swallowed when the bite or sip is no longer in your mouth, and you can feel your Adam’s apple bob up.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to speech therapy if you have any further questions.
