Vital Stim Therapy

How Does Vital Stim Therapy Work?

During Vital Stim Therapy, small electrodes are placed on the skin near the throat and jawline. These electrodes send low-level electrical impulses to the muscles involved in swallowing, helping to stimulate and retrain these muscles. The stimulation is mild and adjustable to ensure maximum comfort for the resident while promoting effective muscle contraction.

The therapy is administered in combination with traditional swallowing exercises. While the electrical stimulation helps activate and strengthen the muscles, the therapist guides the resident through exercises that focus on improving swallowing technique, muscle coordination, and strength.

Sessions are typically short, lasting about 30 minutes, though the frequency and duration of therapy may vary depending on the individual’s needs and progress. Most residents begin to see improvements in their swallowing function within a few weeks of consistent therapy, although the duration of treatment varies from person to person.

Benefits of Vital Stim Therapy

• Improved Swallowing Function: The electrical stimulation helps strengthen and re-educate the muscles responsible for swallowing, leading to improved coordination and function over time.
• Enhanced Safety: One of the primary concerns for individuals with swallowing difficulties is the risk of aspiration, or food or liquid entering the lungs. Aspiration can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia. By improving swallowing function, Vital Stim helps reduce the risk of aspiration and promotes safer swallowing.
• Better Nutrition and Hydration: Swallowing difficulties can make eating and drinking challenging, often leading to malnutrition or dehydration. Vital Stim therapy helps residents regain the ability to swallow more efficiently, improving their ability to eat and drink without discomfort or fear.
• Improved Quality of Life: By restoring safe swallowing ability, Vital Stim Therapy helps residents enjoy meals with family and friends again, which can significantly enhance their emotional well-being and social interactions.
• Non-invasive and Painless: Unlike surgery or more invasive treatments, Vital Stim is a gentle and non-invasive procedure that does not cause pain or discomfort. It’s a safe and effective alternative for seniors with swallowing difficulties.

What to Expect During a Vital Stim Therapy Session

Each therapy session typically includes:

• Placement of Electrodes: The therapist will place the small electrodes on the resident's neck, near the swallowing muscles.
• Electrical Stimulation: The therapist will initiate low-level electrical impulses, which will cause the muscles of the throat to contract. The stimulation is gentle, and the intensity can be adjusted for comfort.
• Swallowing Exercises: While the electrical impulses are stimulating the muscles, the therapist will guide the resident through a series of swallowing exercises. These exercises help improve muscle strength, coordination, and swallowing techniques.
• Post-Therapy Recommendations: After the session, the therapist may offer guidance on additional exercises to be performed at home, or suggest modifications to the resident's diet to allow for safe swallowing and effective rehabilitation.

Who Can Benefit from Vital Stim Therapy?

Vital Stim Therapy is especially beneficial for residents experiencing swallowing difficulties due to a variety of conditions. Some of the most common conditions that can be addressed with Vital Stim Therapy include:

• Post-stroke recovery: Many stroke survivors struggle with dysphagia due to neurological damage. Vital Stim can help re-educate the muscles involved in swallowing.
• Parkinson’s Disease: The progression of Parkinson’s can affect muscle control, including the muscles used for swallowing. Vital Stim can help strengthen these muscles and improve swallowing ability.
• Neurological Disorders: Conditions like multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and cerebral palsy can impair swallowing function, and Vital Stim therapy can be an effective treatment option.
• Head and Neck Cancer: Cancer treatment, especially radiation therapy, can lead to swallowing difficulties. Vital Stim can help rehabilitate the muscles impacted by treatment.