Experiencing difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia is a common issue for individuals in recovery after a stroke. These swallowing issues can significantly impact one’s quality of life, and it is necessary to address them effectively. Stroke physiotherapy in Edmonton offers techniques and treatments to help manage and improve swallowing difficulties. Through targeted exercises and personalized therapy plans, physiotherapy can play a crucial role in enhancing swallowing function and overall recovery after a stroke. Let’s explore how physiotherapy can help those dealing with post-stroke swallowing issues regain their confidence and improve their daily lives.

1. Therapeutic Exercises

We design specific exercises to strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing. These might include:

• Tongue Pushes: Pressing the tongue against a depressor or the roof of the mouth helps build strength and control in the tongue, which is essential for effective swallowing.
• Throat Squeezes: Swallowing hard while feeling for Adam’s apple ensures you use a full range of motion, strengthening the throat muscles and enhancing their coordination.
• Shaker Exercise: Lying flat and lifting the head to look at the toes without raising the shoulders strengthens the muscles that lift the larynx, which supports proper swallowing function.

2. Postural Adjustments

Sometimes, simply adjusting the way you sit or hold your head can make a big difference in your ability to swallow. We work with you to find the best positions that make swallowing easier and safer. Techniques include:

• Chin Tuck: Tucking the chin slightly while swallowing helps prevent food from entering the airway, making swallowing safer.
• Head Turn: Turning the head to one side directs food down the stronger side of the throat, improving swallowing efficiency.
• Upright Positioning: Ensuring you are seated upright at a 90-degree angle during and after meals helps facilitate better swallowing by using gravity to assist.

3. Swallowing Techniques

We teach specific techniques to improve your swallowing. These include:

• Supraglottic Swallow: Taking a deep breath, holding it while swallowing, and then coughing to clear the throat helps protect the airway and ensures safe swallowing.
• Effortful Swallow: Swallowing hard and consciously squeezing all swallowing muscles enhances muscle strength and coordination for better swallowing.
• Mendelsohn Maneuver: Holding the larynx up for a few seconds during swallowing improves coordination and control, leading to more effective swallowing.

4. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

This technique involves using small electrical impulses to stimulate the muscles involved in swallowing. NMES can help improve muscle strength and function by enhancing the effectiveness of traditional exercises. We use a device that delivers gentle electrical currents to the throat muscles while you perform swallowing exercises. This combined approach helps to further strengthen the muscles, improve coordination, and promote a more efficient swallowing process, facilitating better recovery from post-stroke swallowing issues.

5. Dietary Modifications

Although not a direct physiotherapy technique, dietary modifications play a crucial role in making swallowing easier. We collaborate with dietitians to recommend changes that enhance your swallowing safety:

• Texture Modification: Altering the texture of foods to soft, mashed, or pureed helps reduce the risk of choking by making the food easier to manage and swallow.
• Thickened Liquids: Adding thickeners to liquids makes them easier to control and swallow, preventing aspiration and making the swallowing process smoother.
• Small Bites and Sips: Encouraging smaller, manageable portions helps reduce the risk of aspiration by allowing better control over the amount of food or liquid in the mouth at one time.

6. Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises are integral because they improve the coordination between breathing and swallowing, which is necessary for safe swallowing. Techniques include:

• Diaphragmatic Breathing: Practicing deep belly breaths strengthens the diaphragm, which supports better control over breathing and can improve swallowing efficiency.
• Pursed Lip Breathing: Inhaling through the nose and exhaling through pursed lips helps regulate airflow and enhances breath control, which can aid in safer swallowing.

7. Oral Motor Therapy

Oral motor therapy focuses on enhancing the strength, coordination, and function of the muscle group in the mouth and throat. This might include:

• Lip and Tongue Exercises: Activities such as pressing the lips together, moving the tongue side to side, and practicing controlled movements strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing and improve overall control.
• Chewing Practice: Using various textures of food helps practice safe chewing and swallowing techniques, which is vital for effective swallowing and reducing the risk of choking.

8. Sensory Stimulation Techniques

Sensory stimulation enhances the sensory feedback necessary for effective swallowing. Techniques include:

• Thermal Stimulation: Applying cold stimuli, like iced lemon swabs, to the mouth and throat increases sensory awareness and helps trigger a swallow response.
• Taste Stimulation: Using strong flavours or carbonated beverages stimulates the sensory pathways, improving the swallow reflex and making swallowing more effective.

At In Step Physical Therapy, we’re dedicated to helping you overcome swallowing issues with comprehensive stroke physiotherapy in Edmonton. Our personalized approach ensures that you get the care and support you need on your journey to recovery.

Reclaim Your Life with Effective Physiotherapy

Stroke physiotherapy in Edmonton offers targeted treatments that can significantly alleviate difficulty swallowing. By focusing on personalized exercises and therapeutic techniques, physiotherapy helps restore swallowing function, making the recovery after a stroke more manageable and effective.

If you or a loved one are facing swallowing issues post-stroke, don’t wait to seek help. In Step Physiotherapy edmonton is here to provide the utmost care needed to overcome these challenges. Contact us today to learn more about how our stroke physiotherapy services in Edmonton can support your journey to better health and improved swallowing. Start your path to recovery with In Step Physical Therapy and reclaim your ability to enjoy everyday activities confidently.