Swallowing Therapy

Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) pose considerable risk to the patient because of the potential effects such as malnutrition, dehydration and pneumonia.  Our mission is to provide state-of-the-art treatment of dysphagia. 

The speech-language pathologist works to restore safe and efficient eating for patients who have had their swallowing disrupted by injury or disease.  The first step in treatment involves a thorough evaluation to determine the specific problems the patient is having, assess safe diet textures, and determine treatment strategies, which can be applied to maximize recovery and return to as normal a diet as possible. 

The video fluoroscopic swallow function study is available at our main campus and allows the speech-language pathologist to view the patient's swallow on a digital video swallowing station.  This permits detection of silent aspiration and the specific physical problems of the dysphagia, which will guide the treatment.  

Treatment may involve modification of diet textures, use of compensatory strategies, and exercises to promote strength and coordination of the muscles involved in chewing and swallowing.  Our patients have access to the application of electrical stimulation therapy (VitalStim^TM Therapy) during their swallowing treatment. 

Special Features of Siskin Hospital's Swallowing Therapy Program:

• We are the ONLY rehabilitation center in Chattanooga that has on site instrumental assessment of swallowing with video fluoroscopy. This means that you do not have to leave our facility to have your x-ray swallowing test repeated AND the therapist that has been working on your swallowing problem can actually perform the swallowing test, as opposed to having to go to another facility where the therapists may not be as familiar with your case.

 

• We have a medical rehabilitation device that provides biofeedback and measures the strength of your tongue and lip muscles. This is important because the tongue and lips are vital to producing a strong swallow.

 

• The University of Florida and two nationally recognized leaders in the field of dysphagia (swallowing disorders) selected our speech-language pathology department to participate in a pilot research project.

 

• We have over 6 speech-language pathologists trained in the use of electrical stimulation to facilitate progress with swallowing, along with the use of traditional and other swallowing therapy techniques.

 

• We have 3 speech-language pathologists trained in the use of myofascial release for the treatment of tight muscles (head and neck cancer/radiation effects).

 

• We have therapeutic dining programs where you can learn to use maneuvers/strategies to swallow more safely with the supervision and encouragement of therapists and nursing staff.

For more information about the Swallowing Therapy Program at Siskin Hospital, call 423.634.1389 or email swallowing@siskinrehab.org.

For more information on the technology of VitalStim Therapy, click here.