Swallowing Therapy

Do you have trouble swallowing? Do you cough or choke during or after meals? Does it feel like foods or liquids get stuck in your mouth or throat? Is it hard for you to eat in public or during social events?

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is defined as difficulty swallowing, caused by weakness or dyscoordination with the muscles of the mouth and/or throat. Dysphagia can have an impact on nutrition, hydration and quality of life. So many social situations involve food and drink. Swallowing difficulties can have a major impact on quality of life when someone cannot eat or drink safely and easily. Swallowing therapy may help train the muscles of the mouth and/or throat. Some swallowing therapies can be used not only as exercise but also as a compensation to help assist a client to swallow safely.

A videofluoroscopic swallowing study or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing may be required prior to initiating swallowing therapy. Based on these evaluation results, a program will be tailored to the specific areas of difficulty identified during evaluation.

A variety of swallowing exercises can be utilized to help achieve a positive outcome. Device-facilitated therapy tools may be trialed based on specific problems with swallowing.

MD referral may be required.

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Swallowing Therapy

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