Dysphagia
Swallowing difficulties are known as dysphagia. People with dysphagia may struggle to swallow liquids, foods, or saliva, and in some cases, may be completely unable to swallow. These issues can make it hard to get enough food and water for nutrition and hydration. Dysphagia can cause a lack of interest in eating, anxiety about food, social isolation, weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, or infections. About 25% of adults will face dysphagia at some point in their lives.
I provide comprehensive assessment and treatment services tailored to your individual concerns. Evaluation and treatment can improve swallow function, including strength training for swallowing and breathing muscles, manual therapy, and lymphedema management.
What to expect during your Clinical assessment
Kindling Therapies provides evaluation and treatment for adult swallowing issues. I focus on the whole person. During an evaluation, I collect detailed information about your swallowing problem. I may check the nerves that control swallowing muscles and observe you eating or drinking to evaluate chewing and swallowing. Based on the history of your swallowing problem, I will design a treatment with your goals in mind.
Instrumental assessments
If you haven’t had an instrumental swallowing evaluation in the last 6 months, it may be required as part of a comprehensive assessment to examine safety and efficiency while chewing, drinking, and swallowing. It can also determine if a person is aspirating, which is when food or liquid enters the lungs, and strategies to decrease risk of choking. If you haven’t had a swallowing evaluation before your first appointment, I will collaborate with your doctor to arrange your care. Just as your doctor would order an X-ray of a broken bone before applying a cast and prescribing rehabilitation, an updated instrumental assessment is essential for identifying the cause of the swallowing concern, select personalized treatments, and maximize safety during therapy.