Massage therapy may ease swallowing woes for cancer survivors

This study tests whether manual therapy—gentle massage and stretching of the neck, throat, jaw, and mouth—can improve swallowing and movement in head and neck cancer survivors who have long-term swallowing problems due to tissue scarring (fibrosis). About 24 survivors who finished radiation therapy at least 2 years ago will attend 10 therapy sessions over 6 weeks. The main goals are to see if the therapy is practical and safe, and to measure any improvements in swallowing and neck motion.