Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) affects an estimated 15 million Americans. The condition causes discomfort or difficulty swallowing and is most common among stroke survivors, patients with neurological disorders like Parkinson's Disease, and patients with head and neck cancer. Obviously, complications associated with swallowing dysfunctions can be devastating. Unfortunately, success with treatments that have been available has been very limited - and until now, coming up with effective treatments has been neglected.

Traditional treatments of dysphagia include speech therapy, oral exercises, swallowing maneuvers, thermal stimulation and even a feeding tube. But new treatments are evolving, some of which have great potential to positively impact the life of the victim of dysphagia and speed up recovery! One such therapy is VitalStim Therapy ý . This therapy is the first proven treatment for dysphagia. It is the only dysphagia therapy backed by compelling clinical data, and cleared by the Food and Drug Administration. It is based upon clinical electrical stimulation, proven safe, extremely successful as well as better, and faster than any traditional therapy.

VitalStim Therapy uses small electrical currents to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing. It is done only by highly trained specialists who are hands-on to help patients "re-educate" their muscles through rehabilitation therapy. A small, carefully calibrated current is delive4red to the neck/throat area by specially designed electrodes. The current stimulates motor nerves in the throat. The muscles responsible for swallowing contract. The quality of the swallowing function improves. With repeated therapy, muscles are "re-educated", in fact, in clinical studies, 98.4% of patients improved their swallow function score. In fact, 38.3% of patients with severe dysphagia regained full normal swallow function.

At Dr. Steenblock's Clinic we use VitalStim Therapy for swallowing disorders. The patient is completely evaluated for the cause of their dysphagia, and the underlying causes are addressed. We offer a holistic approach to healing which can put the patient on the road to recovery and a much better quality of life.