The purpose of swallowing therapy is to assure a safe swallow. By safe swallow, it is meant a swallow where the chance of choking is very small.

1. Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral Therapy are postural maneuvers or exercises that are implemented to insure a safe swallow, including but not limited to:

• Chin Tuck
• Head Turn
• Effortful Swallow
• Shaker Exercises
• Supraglottic Swallow
• Mendelsohn Maneuver

The strategies/exercises are designed specifically for you by the speech pathologist and are dependent on the results of the swallowing evaluation.

2. Dietary Therapy
It may become evident that certain types of foods or liquids cause the patient to cough or choke, but other foods do not. During the exam the various food volumes and consistencies are used until it is determined which combinations can be used for an easy and safe swallow.

3. VitalStim – Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
A relatively new type of treatment is neuromuscular electrical stimulation (VitalStim). The use of this treatment for swallowing disorders requires special training by the speech pathologist.

Surface electrodes are placed in specific target areas on the throat, depending on the muscle(s) being addressed during the swallow. The intensity of the stimulation is regulated and the session lasts about 60 minutes. During this time, the patient typically performs traditional exercises in conjunction with the ongoing electrical stimulation.

4. Pharmacotherapy
Certain medications may be prescribed by the physician which can help to obtain a safer swallow:

1. If thick phlegm or mucous is a problem causing difficulties swallowing, then a medication that will thin-out thick secretions may be helpful. This way, the secretions could be more readily expectorated and coughed.
2. Swallowing problems are sometimes due to untreated, or insufficiently treated, acid reflux disease. The acid causes swelling in the throat which can contribute to swallowing difficulties. Under those circumstances, an anti-acid medication is prescribed in order to help alleviate the throat swelling that may be contributing to the swallowing problem.