Swallowing Therapy

Are you experiencing trouble with swallowing? Speech Therapy can help you to safely eat & drink the things you love!

In the United States, approximately 1 in 25 adults experience swallowing problems each year. Difficulties with swallowing can result from a variety of neurological impairments, including stroke, brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and ALS.

Here are symptoms most commonly associated with swallowing problems that you may be experiencing:

  • Coughing or throat clearing during or after eating

  • Complaints of pain when swallowing

  • Food or liquid remaining in your mouth following meals

  • Drooling during or outside of meals

  • Difficulty coordinating breathing and swallowing

  • Changes in vocal quality during or after eating or drinking (e.g., voice sounding wet or “gurgly”

  • Complaints of food “sticking” in throat

  • Food or liquid “leaking” from mouth

  • Changes in eating habits, such as avoiding certain foods/drinks

  • Weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration from not being able to eat enough

  • Recurrent pneumonia

What is dysphagia?

Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that can affect the mouth, throat, esophagus, or the connection to the stomach.

People with dysphagia may lose interest in eating and drinking, leading to embarrassment, social isolation, and changes in lifestyle for both them and their families.

Speech therapist providing swallowing therapy (dysphagia) to an adult.

How is dysphagia addressed?

A speech-language pathologist performs a swallowing evaluation to understand where difficulties occur, figure out the reasons behind them, and develop a treatment plan.

Treatment often involves teaching safe swallowing techniques, suggesting food textures that are easier to manage, and creating a personalized exercise program to strengthen swallowing muscles. Sometimes, imaging studies of your swallowing process are recommended to help guide the best treatment approach.

Swallowing intervention for adults. Treatment technique to address dysphagia through individualized and functional exercise.

Dysphagia Certified Provider Of:

McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP) is a systematic exercise-based approach to dysphagia therapy in adults. Rather than a specific technique, MDTP is a framework from which to provide individualized therapy to adult patients.

At Clarity Rehabilitation, we believe in the limitless potential for progress. The brain has the capacity to form new connections, even years following a stroke or brain injury. Our approach involves collaborating with you on your personal goals, ensuring they are not only achievable but also practical and relevant to your everyday life.