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One of the newest services available at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center is VitalStim Therapy. VitalStim Therapy is an FDA cleared method to promote swallowing through the application of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) to the swallowing muscles with goals to strengthen and re-educate the muscles and improve motor control of the swallowing mechanism.
Patients with a diagnosis of dyshpagia are appropriate candidates for the use of VitalStim therapy. Dysphagia is a term used to indicate a swallowing disorder. Dysphagia may greatly impact a patient's quality of life. Common signs of dysphagia my consist of :
- Coughing when swallowing or after swallowing
- Choking on food or liquids
- Experience pain during swallowing
- Sensation of food getting stuck in the throat or having a lump in the throat
- Fatigue during meals
- Onset of pneumonia of unknown origin
Dysphagia is commonly seen in stroke patients, patient with respiratory diseases, cardiac lesions, developmental delays, sensory defensiveness, as well as various syndromes and neurological diseases. Following an assessment, the therapist may use VitalStim in conjunction with other therapy techniques in order to increase the function of the swallow.
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