Rehab

VitalStim makes rehab easier to swallow

Rehab Regs, March 11, 2004

More therapists are turning to a new therapy to treat dysphagia, which uses electrodes placed on the throat to exercise and trigger the swallowing muscles of patients. VitalStim Therapy is a non-invasive program for dysphagia patients that has gained popularity since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001, according to the St. Petersburg [Florida] Times. Because dysphagia makes it painful and difficult to swallow, patients often have difficulty taking in enough calories and fluids for nourishment. An estimated 15 million people suffer from the condition, which can affect those recovering from strokes, some cancers, cerebral palsy and muscular sclerosis.

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