Why can't IBurp?A free UK guide to R-CPD

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The Shaker exercise (head lift)

By the Why Can't I Burp team. Updated 11 November 2026. 5 min read.

Burt the frog lying on his back on a yoga mat, gently lifting his head with a happy smile as a small bubble floats up, with a glass of water and a sand timer beside him.

Quick summary

What is the Shaker exercise?

It's a simple head lift, named after Dr Reza Shaker, who tested it. You lie flat and lift your head to look at your toes, keeping your shoulders down. It works the muscles under your chin and at the front of your neck. These muscles help pull open the ring of muscle at the top of your food pipe.

NHS speech and language therapists give it to people who have trouble swallowing. One NHS leaflet says the exercise works small muscles under your chin which play a very important part in opening the muscle at the top of your food pipe (opens in a new tab).

How do you do the Shaker exercise?

This is how an NHS leaflet explains it (Kent Community Health NHS (opens in a new tab)):

  1. Lie flat on your back on the floor or a bed, with no pillow. Keep your shoulders flat the whole time.
  2. Long head lift: lift your head high and forward enough to see your toes. Hold for one minute, then lower your head and rest for one minute. Do this three times.
  3. Short head lifts: lift your head until you can see your toes, then put it straight back down. Repeat 30 times.
  4. Do the set three times a day for at least six weeks (NHS leaflet (opens in a new tab)).
  5. Too hard? Start small. Hold for less time and rest more in between, then slowly build up (NHS leaflet (opens in a new tab)).

People on r/noburp often did a lighter version. For example, one person lifted their head 10 times, held each for a second or two, then held it for a minute once (opens in a new tab), and did side neck sit ups straight after (see neck sit ups).

What do people with R-CPD say?

Patient reports. Short quotes, linked to the original post. We leave out usernames.

Does the Shaker exercise work for R-CPD?

Here's the honest answer: nobody has tested it for R-CPD yet.

So it may be worth a try, and it's low risk for most people. But it's not proven, and it isn't the same as treatment.

How long should I try it for?

The NHS swallowing leaflet says at least six weeks (opens in a new tab). On r/noburp, people who say it worked took anything from a few weeks to several months. If nothing has changed after two or three months, it's a good time to talk to your GP about other options.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Shaker exercise for burping?

It's a head lift you do lying on your back, to work the muscles at the front of your neck. It's the exercise people with R-CPD mention most on r/noburp (patient reports (opens in a new tab)).

Does the Shaker exercise cure R-CPD?

It hasn't been tested for R-CPD. Studies show it helps the food pipe open wider for swallowing (opens in a new tab) in some people, and some people with R-CPD say it helped them learn to burp.

How often should I do the Shaker exercise?

An NHS leaflet says three times a day for at least six weeks (opens in a new tab). Start gently and build up.

Is the Shaker exercise safe?

It's gentle, but stop if you get neck pain or feel dizzy. The NHS leaflet is written for people a speech and language therapist has checked, and says if used inappropriately, it could have a negative impact on swallowing (opens in a new tab). If you already have trouble swallowing, or a neck or back problem, ask your GP first.

Sources

Other things people try

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