Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute — Owatonna Hospital offers therapy for people with trouble swallowing
OWATONNA, Minn. 4/18/2018 — Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute — Owatonna Hospital offers VitalStim® Therapy to help treat people with swallowing problems through muscle re-education. The therapy is a specialized form of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES).
“This type of therapy has a long and proven track record,” says Lindsey Bathrick, speech therapist. “Plus, it’s non-invasive, and has helped thousands of people with dysphasia, even those on feeding tubes.”
VitalStim Therapy uses an electrical current, delivered by specially trained electrodes on the neck, to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing. The current stimulates motor nerves in the throat, “while the person practices exercises that cause the swallowing muscles to contract,” adds Bathrick.
The FDA-approved therapy includes 60-minute treatment sessions that take place daily or nearly daily, until the person is able to swallow at his or her desired level. A physician prescription is required.
Lindsey Bathrick is a speech therapist at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute — Owatonna Hospital. She can be reached at 507-977-2161507-977-2161. For more information about this type therapy, visit allinahealth.org/couragekenny, click on Services then VitalStim Therapy.
About Allina Health
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 10 hospitals / 13 campuses, 15 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services.
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