The Sitrin Medical Rehabilitation Center is now offering VitalStim Swallowing Therapy for children. VitalStim Therapy is a specialized form of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) designed to treat many swallowing disorders through muscle retraining. According to the VitalStim web site, Sitrin Speech-Language Pathologist, Kristyn Hammond, MS, CCC-SLP is the only local therapist within a 50-mile radius to be certified to perform the new therapy.

According to published reports, pediatric swallowing disorders, affect 25% of all children and 80% of children with developmental disabilities. Additionally, swallowing disorders are much more prevalent in children with physical disabilities, mental illness, and prematurity. VitalStim Swallowing Therapy is designed to strengthen muscles and assist children in combating swallowing deficiencies.

Sitrin’s VitalStim equipment administers a specially calibrated current that goes directly to the affected muscles. This FDA-approved therapy stimulates the inactive and/or atrophied muscles of the neck and re-trains them through the delivery of small electrical currents to obtain optimum swallowing function.

Individuals interested in receiving VitalStim Therapy at Sitrin must first obtain a referral from their doctor, and have an up-to-date videofluoscopy.

This program at Sitrin is also available to adults with swallowing disorders. Appointments are readily available! For more information about Sitrin’s swallowing therapy, please call 797-8000.