Say YES to NMES for Dysphagia

Craig Mateer

Highlighting the many, many success stories that therapists are having using VitalStim therapy.  Using NMES in the application of dysphagia therapy? Want to share your success story or know someone who does? Contact me!

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Jane Moore - Feeding Hope
Aug 26 2023
Jane Moore - Feeding Hope
Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Say Yes to NMES"!In this episode, we dive deep into the world of pediatric dysphagia and the incredible impact of NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) therapy on children's feeding challenges. Joining me today is Jane Moore, a veteran pediatric occupational therapist at Beach Kids Therapy Center, who has transformed the lives of countless children through her comprehensive feeding program. Jane shares her heartwarming journey in the field, starting from her discovery of VitalStim therapy to her mission to bring hope and change to families of children with feeding disorders. We explore a remarkable success story, a young baby born prematurely with multiple challenges, including Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and silent aspiration. Jane walks us through the therapeutic journey, from early interventions to the triumphant moment of seeing this child celebrate his first birthday with cake.Discover the intricacies of using NMES therapy on tiny patients, breaking myths around the therapy's application on infants, and highlighting the unique communication challenges and successes when working with nonverbal patients. Jane passionately advocates for early intervention and holistic approaches, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of therapists, parents, and healthcare professionals in nurturing these children's holistic well-being.Join us for an inspiring conversation that shines a light on NMES therapy's transformative power, bringing hope and healing to families facing the daunting challenges of pediatric dysphagia. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a parent, or simply curious about this life-changing therapy, this episode is a must-listen.Tune in to "Say Yes to NMES" and be a part of this incredible journey of resilience, progress, and hope for children overcoming feeding obstacles.https://www.beachkidstherapy.com/

Episodes

Jane Moore - Feeding Hope
Aug 26 2023
Jane Moore - Feeding Hope
Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Say Yes to NMES"!In this episode, we dive deep into the world of pediatric dysphagia and the incredible impact of NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) therapy on children's feeding challenges. Joining me today is Jane Moore, a veteran pediatric occupational therapist at Beach Kids Therapy Center, who has transformed the lives of countless children through her comprehensive feeding program. Jane shares her heartwarming journey in the field, starting from her discovery of VitalStim therapy to her mission to bring hope and change to families of children with feeding disorders. We explore a remarkable success story, a young baby born prematurely with multiple challenges, including Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and silent aspiration. Jane walks us through the therapeutic journey, from early interventions to the triumphant moment of seeing this child celebrate his first birthday with cake.Discover the intricacies of using NMES therapy on tiny patients, breaking myths around the therapy's application on infants, and highlighting the unique communication challenges and successes when working with nonverbal patients. Jane passionately advocates for early intervention and holistic approaches, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of therapists, parents, and healthcare professionals in nurturing these children's holistic well-being.Join us for an inspiring conversation that shines a light on NMES therapy's transformative power, bringing hope and healing to families facing the daunting challenges of pediatric dysphagia. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a parent, or simply curious about this life-changing therapy, this episode is a must-listen.Tune in to "Say Yes to NMES" and be a part of this incredible journey of resilience, progress, and hope for children overcoming feeding obstacles.https://www.beachkidstherapy.com/
Nikki Howell - VitalStim critical to helping with patient buy in
Jul 19 2023
Nikki Howell - VitalStim critical to helping with patient buy in
On this episode, I am joined by Nikki Howell.  Nikki is an SLP currently at a small rural hospital but has worked in just about every patient setting.  She talks about several of her patients - one with a more traditional dysphagia challenge and a unique one caused by oral aparaxia.  In both, she talks about the benefit of VitalStim treatment in getting that extra buy in that is so critical in to the success of her treatments.Nikki has also learned and investigated the cognitive impact or fall prevention and the role of the  SLP in that process.  Hear about what she has learned and how you can learn even more from her about it.
Jessica Barron - NMES in the NICU
May 7 2023
Jessica Barron - NMES in the NICU
On this episode, I am joined by Jessica Barron.  Jessica is an SLP at a Level IV (4) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).   Jessica has used NMES extensively on the kiddos in her unit since getting trained several years ago.  She estimates that 80% of the patients could benefit from NMES use for their swallowing and eating challenges.  Jessica talks about one the many successes she has had using VitalStim - helping a 5 month old with a trach get on the path to successful swallowing and eating.https://www.choc.org/
Janice Osborne Dowdy - He was drowning on his own secretions.
Jan 12 2023
Janice Osborne Dowdy - He was drowning on his own secretions.
On this episode I’m joined by Janice Osborne Dowdy, MS/CCC-SLP, CBIS - an SLP with NeuroRestorative/Sevita in Ashland, Kentucky.  We discuss a stroke patient of hers who was not progressing with traditional therapy.  He was a practicing attorney who now had a trach, peg tube, and was drowning on his own secretions. Hear how adding VitalStim therapy first changes his outlook on life and then his future as it soon facilitates his return to his practice. Janice also talks about the aftereffects of Head and Neck Cancer treatments with regard to dysphasia – sometimes years after the actual occurrence.  We also talk about how important it is for therapists, patients, and families to learn about VitalStim and NMES so that anyone suffering from dysphasia has the chance to receive the best possible treatment regimen for their condition.
Kimberly Gomez - My very first VitalStim patient.
Oct 26 2022
Kimberly Gomez - My very first VitalStim patient.
Kimberly Gomez is an SLP and Rehab Director for a SNF/LTC facility in Amarillo, Texas.  Kimberly discusses the success she had with her VERY FIRST VitalStim patient.  A retired chef who had months of traditional therapy but could still not initiate a swallow.  With both he and his wife dealing with serious depression and even saying he would rather die than not be able to eat, Kimberly uses her newly acquired training to get him eating a steak and drinking a beer with his wife.  She also recounts a post COVID patient who had nearly died.  Weak and miserable, Kimberly helps him and his wife get back to their passion of RVing and attending festivals.Amarillo Center for Skilled Carehttps://amarilloskilledcenter.com/
Lubna Nabulsi - NMES and Chef Boyardee Changing a Life Forever
Jul 11 2022
Lubna Nabulsi - NMES and Chef Boyardee Changing a Life Forever
On this episode I’m joined by Lubna Nabulsi an SLP with FutureCare in Baltimore Maryland. We initially talk about a success she had with one of her stroke patients, but I am soon drawn to her story about a young man with muscular dystrophy. At 16, he is institutionalized and told he would would never eat again. However, when he was 21, Lubna helps him to eat his favorite thing - Chef Boyardee. Hear how that seemingly small act starts changing his life forever.Also, hear how adding VitalStim therapy changed Lubna as a therapist and changed her company's approach to swallowing disorders -  even leading to... (wait for it) - thank you notes from patients and families.https://futurecare.com/
Lesley Mateer - Ethics, NMES, and her mission to protect her fellow therapists
Jul 6 2022
Lesley Mateer - Ethics, NMES, and her mission to protect her fellow therapists
On This episode I talk to Lesley Mateer, owner of CIAO SEMINARS and the owner of the VitalStim/Dines training program.She talks about how she almost went to jail and why that has crystalized her mission ever since.  Listen as she talks about ethics and NMES for dysphagia and why protecting her fellow therapists is such a critical part of everything she does.
Tina Mastrangelo - I don’t care what anyone else has told you, let’s just get down to work
Jun 29 2022
Tina Mastrangelo - I don’t care what anyone else has told you, let’s just get down to work
Tina Mastrangelo - an SLP at an Encompass Health inpatient facility talks about one of her early patients.A gentlemen who just wants to have a "little bit" with his golfing buddies has been told he would never eat again. But for Tina, his treatment with VitalStim therapy becomes her inspiration to say to future patients -  “I don’t care what you have been told before, let’s just get down to work!”Hear his story and what Tina has learned along the way.
Yorick Wijting - The past, present, and future of NMES
Jun 17 2022
Yorick Wijting - The past, present, and future of NMES
Yorick Wijting is the author of the VitalStim and Beyond: DINES Specialty Certificate Course. Yorick  has taught all around the world in multiple languages. Yorick is the perfect person to discuss the success of NMES in the treatment of dysphagia as well as its past, present, and future.
John Kelly - PT Aiding the SLP in the Treatment of Dysphagia
Jun 15 2022
John Kelly - PT Aiding the SLP in the Treatment of Dysphagia
Today I talk to John Kelly MPT.  John is one of the VitalStim/DINES course instructors.  We discuss a range of NMES topics including the PT instuctor role in the VitalStim DINES course.  We also discuss several courses that John has developed for the SLPs (using typically PT techniques and practices) to help them treat their dysphagia patients - including Myofascial Releas and K Taping.  We also talk about Bell's Palsy and the upcoming Annual VitalStim/DINES Provider Conference.
Stacey Brill - Head and Neck Cancer
Jun 10 2022
Stacey Brill - Head and Neck Cancer
Stacey Brill talks about her success treating dysphagia in her Head and Neck Cancer Patients using NMES.