Big Sky Pediatric Therapy is Austin's premier clinic for children with special needs, offering occupational, physical and speech therapy combined with innovative yoga and music therapy. By offering both traditional and progressive therapies under one roof, every child is assured the best and most comprehensive care by our team of leading therapists. All children will prosper through our nurturing and family-interactive care. The Big Sky family is eager to show your child that the sky is not the limit, it's just the beginning.
Now offering VitalStim Therapy for Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
How does VitalStim Therapy work?
VitalStim Therapy is a non-invasive therapy that uses an electrical current to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing while trained specialists help patients to “re-educate” the muscles with special exercises. The small, carefully calibrated current is delivered by specially designed electrodes, which are placed on the back of the neck. The current stimulates motor nerves in the throat while the patient practices swallowing exercises that cause the swallowing muscles to contract.
What are symptoms of dysphagia?
Symptoms of dysphagia include: aspiration or penetration of liquids into the airway, atypical voice quality (wet, hoarse or weak), feeling like food is stuck in the throat, drooling, multiple swallows required to clear food, delayed swallowing trigger, anterior spillage of foods or liquids, vallecular pooling, premature spillage of foods or liquids into the airway and nasal regurgitation.
If you see a child that has difficulty eating or drinking, VitalStim Therapy should be considered. For more information on VitalStim or candidacy for treatment, please refer to vitalstimtherapy.com or call Big Sky Pediatric Therapy and speak with April Gamble or Caren Arnold, our certified VitalStim specialists.
