New Treatment For Cerebral Palsy-Linked Dysphagia

Dysphagia is a common condition that often afflicts people with neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy. The condition is marked by difficulty swallowing, which may lead to serious side effects such as malnutrition, dehydration, and choking. Until recently, speech therapy—swallowing, lip and tongue exercises—was the most popular treatment for dysphagia. Now, a new treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2001, is helping cerebral palsy patients as well as other dysphagia sufferers with swallowing problems.

VitalStim Therapy

VitalStim is a non-invasive therapy, which utilizes a battery-powered current through four uniquely designed electrodes placed on a patient’s neck. As a patient performs swallowing exercises to contract their throat muscles, the current works to stimulate the motor nerves, essentially “re-educating” the muscles and improving the quality of swallowing.

VitalSlim is typically administered by a VitalStim-certified speech pathologist that has extensive experience treating patients with dysphagia. Most therapy sessions last about one hour and 12 sessions several times a week are normally required for best results.

Does your child have cerebral palsy? It may have been caused by medical errors. Please contact us today to learn if you are eligible to recover damages for the losses you and you family have endured.