Muscular dystrophy can affect your ability to swallow and breathe. If you’re living with muscular dystrophy (MD) and you experience these symptoms, your healthcare provider may refer you to a specialist for additional support.

These specialists may include:

• Pulmonologists and respiratory therapists, who can help with breathing problems
• Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), who work with people who have trouble swallowing
• Physical and occupational therapists, who support mobility, strength, and daily functioning

These professionals can recommend treatments or interventions such as medications, assistive medical devices, and targeted exercises to help you manage these symptoms and maintain your quality of life.

Healthcare providers will recommend exercises based on your or your loved one’s specific symptoms. They will explain how to do the exercises safely, how often to do them, and how many repetitions are needed.

Keep reading to learn about the types of exercises that may help manage swallowing and breathing symptoms caused by muscular dystrophy.

How Does Muscular Dystrophy Affect Swallowing and Breathing?

Swallowing and breathing both rely on muscles in the body. Over time, neuromuscular disorders like muscular dystrophy can cause muscle damage and muscle weakness, which can affect muscle function. If the muscles that control swallowing and breathing are affected, this can make it harder to breathe and swallow.

When it comes to breathing, respiratory muscle damage and weakness can make it hard for you to get enough oxygen. It can also make it difficult to cough.

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can occur when the muscles involved in swallowing are weakened by muscular dystrophy. This often happens when eating solid foods and can lead to dehydration, malnourishment (poor nutrition), and unintended weight loss.

Trouble swallowing can also lead to breathing problems. If small bits of food or liquid accidentally enter the airway — a process called aspiration — it can increase the risk of respiratory infections, including pneumonia.

8 Exercises To Improve Swallowing and Breathing

There are many exercises that your healthcare team may recommend to help with breathing and swallowing problems. It’s important to follow their recommendations and guidance closely. Some of these exercises are specifically recommended for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the most common type of muscular dystrophy. If you have another form of MD, your provider may suggest different exercises that are a better fit for your needs.

Here are some exercises providers may recommend for people with muscular dystrophy who have swallowing or breathing problems. Only do these exercises if your doctor or therapist has prescribed them. The right exercises depend on the type of muscular dystrophy you have, how the disease progresses, and what stage you’re in. To get the safest and most effective exercise plan, talk to your doctor first.

1. Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is simple and can be done anywhere and at almost any time. This exercise can strengthen your breathing muscles and help you relax. It can also help your lungs fully expand so you can take in more oxygen.

To try it, pause and take five to 10 deep breaths, resting briefly between each one. Unless your medical provider says otherwise, do this several times a day.

2. Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing is also called belly breathing or abdominal breathing. This exercise helps you use your diaphragm — the large muscle right below your lungs — when you breathe. Strengthening this muscle can help make breathing easier and may help reduce the amount of oxygen your body needs.

To practice diaphragmatic breathing, lie down and place one hand on your belly and the other on your upper chest. Breathe in slowly, and try to make the hand on your belly move up as you breathe. Try not to move the hand on your upper chest. Then, exhale by squeezing your stomach muscles and pushing the air out. The hand on your belly should fall.

Your doctor might recommend trying this in other positions, like sitting or standing. They’ll tell you how often and how many repetitions to do.

3. Breath Stacking

Breath stacking helps you fill your lungs as much as possible. This can improve your ability to cough, speak louder, and keep your chest muscles active.

All you need to do is take a series of small breaths, one after the other, without letting the air out. Keep doing this until your lungs feel full.

Your healthcare provider might recommend using a breathing device to help you do this.

4. Pursed Lip Breathing

Another breathing technique, called pursed lip breathing, can help you get more fresh air into your lungs and slow down your breath. It can also help you cycle air in and out of your lungs more effectively. This means getting rid of more of the old air and getting more new air with each breath.

To practice pursed lip breathing, start by breathing in slowly through your nose for two seconds. Then purse your lips like you’re blowing out birthday candles or cooling your soup. Breathe out slowly through your pursed lips for four seconds. Count the seconds to help you stay on track.

5. Tongue Strengthening

If you’re having trouble swallowing, your medical provider may give you tongue exercises to strengthen the muscles you need for safe eating and drinking. Here are two examples:

• Tongue resistance — Your doctor may have you stick out your tongue, push it against a tongue depressor, and hold it there for a few seconds. Repeat the exercise with the depressor underneath your tongue and then on each side of it.
• Tongue curl — Stick your tongue all the way out and curl the tip backward toward the back of your mouth. Hold this position briefly, then relax and repeat a few times.

6. Effortful Swallowing

Effortful swallowing helps build strength in your throat muscles, making it easier to swallow food and drink safely. To try it, clench your throat muscles and swallow as hard as you can. It may help to imagine you’re swallowing a large piece of food.

7. Supraglottic Swallowing

Supraglottic swallowing strengthens the muscles that help you swallow. It can also help you coordinate your breathing and swallowing. To do this exercise, take a deep breath and hold it. While you’re holding your breath, swallow hard. Then cough gently while breathing out.

8. Mendelsohn Maneuvering

The Mendelsohn maneuver targets specific muscles involved in swallowing. It may feel a bit more complicated than other exercises, but it can be very helpful.

To try it, place your hand gently on the front of your throat. Swallow normally and notice how your larynx (voice box) moves up and down. The next time you swallow, pause the swallow when your larynx is at its highest point. Hold it there using your throat muscles for about three seconds. Then, relax.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you notice problems swallowing or breathing, talk to your doctor right away. They can refer you to specialists who can help.

Talk to your specialists before you start any new exercises for breathing or swallowing. While exercises can help keep your muscles strong and flexible, not every exercise is meant for every person living with muscular dystrophy. Your doctor can help you find the best approach for your needs.

Find Your Team

On myMDteam, the site for people with muscular dystrophy and their loved ones, members come together to gain a new understanding of MD and share their stories with others who understand life with MD.

Do you or your child do swallowing and/or breathing exercises? Which ones have been the most helpful? Share your experiences in the comments below or by posting to your Activities page.