Therapy exercises after a mouth burn injury

It is important to exercise your joints after a burn injury. If the skin over or near a joint has been damaged by a burn, it can become tight and eventually contract.

This can restrict movement and make it difficult to eat and drink, talk or open and close your eyes.

If a contracture develops, another surgery may be needed.

What should I do?

During your treatment you will have done some exercises with the therapist. It is very important that you continue your exercises at home.

These should be done little and often throughout the day to prevent stiffness.

When your burn wound has healed, use an unperfumed cream to moisturise and massage the area 2 to 3 times a day to keep your skin supple which will help with your stretches at home.

It is very important that the old cream is washed off before applying more.

Exercises

Do all of these exercises sitting in a chair looking into a mirror to watch your movements.

Exercise 1: wide mouth

Open your mouth as if you are about to yawn.

Hold this position for seconds, then relax this position.

Repeat times.

Exercise 2: wide mouth stretch

Using your fingers, pull the corns of your mouth away from each other.

Hold each of the position for seconds and relax.

Repeat times.

Exercise 3: smile

Stretch your mouth into a big smile.

Hold this position for seconds, then relax this position.

Repeat times.

Exercise 4: pout

Purse your lips together to form a circle, and pout forwards.

Hold each of the position for seconds and relax.

Repeat times.

Exercise 5: eyes shut tight

Close your eyes tightly.

Hold this position for seconds, then relax this position.

Repeat times.

Exercise 6: eyes open and eyebrows raised

Open your eyes wide and raise your eyebrows.

Hold each of the position for seconds and relax.

Repeat times.

Exercise 7: frown

Lower your eyebrows into a frown.

Hold this position for seconds, then relax this position.

Repeat times.