Swallowing Therapy

Eating and drinking are fundamental to all of us. Food provides us with nutrition, serves as a source of pleasure, plays an important role in many celebrations, and helps us connect with others and our cultures. Therefore, in addition to malnutrition, dehydration, weight loss, and pneumonia, difficulty swallowing can lead to social isolation, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life.

Swallowing therapy can help by:

Identifying the cause of the problem.

Recommending necessary imaging.

Providing exercises to improve the swallowing mechanism.

Instructing in safe-swallowing strategies.

Recommending diet modifications.

Providing education and resources.

Start swallowing therapy today! Schedule an appointment or free 10 minute phone consultation.

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I strive to ensure that my patients are in the best position to make the many daily decisions about their food by helping them understand:

The reasons for their swallowing difficulty.
The signs and symptoms to look for.
Diet modification techniques.
Swallowing techniques.

"My goal is for patients to continue eating the foods they like in an enjoyable and safe way."

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Specialized dysphagia trainings:

Respiratory Muscle Strength Training (RMST)
‍RMST is a program of exercises that target the inspiratory & expiratory respiratory muscles to increase swallowing function, strength of cough, and coordination of respiratory muscles, all which all can increase safety when eating and drinking.

McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP)
‍MDTP is an intensive swallowing therapy program that increases strength, speed, and coordination of the swallow. Patients participate in therapy for four, one-hour sessions per week for 4 weeks. Many patients make significant progress following MDTP. Patients who are unable to follow the strict regimen MDTP requires, can still incorporate the principles of MDTP into their swallowing therapy.

Symptoms of swallowing disorders may include:

Coughing during or immediately after meals.
Food or liquid remaining in the mouth after meals.
Food or liquid leaking from the mouth.
Complaints of food “getting stuck.”
Feeling of "fullness" in the neck.
Complaints of pain when swallowing.
Drooling.

Wet or 'gurgly' sounding voice during or after meals.
Decreasing food or liquid intake.
Difficulty breathing during meals or shortness of breath.
Recurrent pneumonia or upper respiratory infections.
Throat clearing during meals.
Avoiding certain foods or liquids.
Extra effort or time needed to chew for meals.

Testimonials

"Eva, thank you so much for all your care and help! You gave me so much guidance and patiently answered all of my questions. It helped me tremendously in his (father) care."

"I am gonna miss you so much, I will text you when am home so you can get my number, Eva. I really appreciate you being here for me. God really has been on my side, having you to encourage me, please continue to be the person you are."

"Thanks so much Eva. You are awesome! "

I am so thankful for the amazing support I received from Eva during our coaching. At a time when I was feeling so nervous and confused about a thyroid issue, she helped me put all the pieces together. She provided invaluable guidance that enabled me to take control of my health again. I cannot say thank you enough!

Eva has been a tremendous help in my recovery and continued wellbeing. More importantly, she’s truly an amazing person.

My dad has passed since Eva last saw him, but now that I can leave a review, I wanted to take the opportunity. Some therapists come to simply do their job and leave – but not Eva. She truly cared about making him the most comfortable he could be. He would truly look forward to her visits.Eva truly, truly cares. Thank you for all of your help!

I had swallowing problems as a result of surgery and was told to undergo swallowing therapy. Eva not only was a great swallowing therapist, but also showed me how to reduce inflammation. I highly, highly recommend.

After suffering from a stroke, my mother-in-law’s diet was so restricted she lost all the joy of eating. Eva worked miracles with her, and although it’s not like it used to be, she looks forward to her meals again! It has been such an amazing experience watching her at dinner now I really don’t know what to say. If you wnat someone that won’t give up right away and assume that all progress is finished, then reach out to Eva – my whole family’s favorite therapist.

Amazing!!!Don’t take a dagnois like I did for many years and assume there is nothing you can do about it. Talk to Eva, she can help so much.