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Swallowing Therapy
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John Muir Physical Rehabilitation offers evaluation and treatment of dysphagia (swallowing dysfunction) by licensed Speech Pathologists in the hospitals and outpatient therapy centers. Dysphagia may result in aspiration, choking or unwanted weight loss. Swallowing evaluation involves a variety of approaches but can be divided into instrumental and non-instrumental techniques.
Non-instrumental assessment involves a clinical evaluation in an office setting for outpatients or at the patient's bedside in the hospital. Evaluation includes an oral exam, trials of progressive amounts and consistencies of liquids and solids and trials of therapeutic postures or maneuvers.
Instrumental evaluation techniques are either a Modified Barium Swallow study (MBS) or Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). MBS is an x-ray study that enables the examiner to view and record the swallowing mechanism from the side and the front as the patient eats and drinks. FEES utilizes a fiberoptic endoscope that is passed through the nose to view the area from the throat to the larynx as the patient eats and drinks. Therapeutic positions and techniques are attempted in both instrumental techniques to determine the safest diet level and to maximize the efficiency and safety of the swallow.
All evaluation procedures involve the patient swallowing liquids and solids of varying amounts and consistencies. Any or all procedures may be recommended to assess swallowing function depending on the nature and severity of the problem. The type of procedure used is generally determined by the speech pathologist in consultation with the physician.
Physician referral required.
Call for information.
(925) 674-2125 - Concord
(925) 947-5300 - Walnut Creek
(925) 240-0334 - Brentwood
(925) 831-1414 - Danville
[$Fee]