Dysphagia is when you experience frequent coughing or choking with eating or drinking, foods sticking in your throat, or inability to swallow.  Your doctor will refer you to an SLP for treatment.  Swallowing therapy with Lifespan Therapy provides tailored exercises to strengthen swallowing muscles and maintain optimal range of motion to promote safe and efficient swallow with your recommended diet.  Your clinician will also advise appropriate diet textures and/or use of compensatory techniques to ensure the safest swallow. 

 

It is often advised for an individual diagnosed with dysphagia to undergo a swallow study ordered by your doctor or recommended by the SLP.  Types of swallow studies include a Video Barium Swallow (VBS), also called Modified Barium Swallow (MBS), or Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) with an SLP.  This provides the SLP with a visual assessment of the swallow function and structures to help determine the appropriate course of therapy/treatment.  Because Lifespan Therapy does not perform these studies, it is highly recommended that you have a swallow study before starting therapy if you are receiving services for dysphagia.

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We are able to offer VitalStim Therapy which is a non-invasive therapy that uses an electrical current to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing.

 

Important note: Teletherapy services offered for swallowing are meant to help guide an individual through therapy exercises as an alternative to home health.  Swallow evaluations are NOT provided via teletherapy, and should be performed in person with a local SLP.