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VitalStim Therapy

Our expanded therapy services at Gwynedd now include VitalStim – a non-invasive and effective modality used to treat patients with difficulty swallowing or dysphagia.

Jinnie James, our Speech-Language Pathologist, has recently become VitalStim certified. VitalStim is a form of neuromuscular stimulation, where electrodes are placed on the neck. Typically, it is used alongside traditional swallowing exercises. The goal is to stimulate and re-educate the muscles involved in swallowing to minimize the risk of aspiration when eating and drinking.

Jinnie has been treating Dale Scerati, a Gwynedd resident, with VitalStim since her admission to our center in March. Dale arrived on a puree diet with honey thick liquids. After several weeks of VitalStim and traditional dysphagia therapy, Dale now enjoys a regular diet with thin liquids and is tolerating this without any signs of aspiration. She is preparing for discharge home with her new and improved swallowing function.