Say YES to NMES for Dysphagia: Recent Episodes
Craig Mateer
Using NMES in the application of dysphagia therapy. Highlighting the many success stories that therapists are having using VitalStim therapy.
Send a text
In this episode of Say Yes to NMES, Craig is joined by Jo Grayson, Speech Pathologist at Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Australia, who shares one of the most powerful pediatric dysphagia cases she has ever treated.
Jo describes working with an infant who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, resulting in severe dysphagia, profound oral aversion, constant secretion management issues, and eventual PEG tube placement. After just nine sessions of NMES (VitalStim), Jo witnessed changes she describes as nothing short of “gobsmacking.”
This conversation walks through the clinical decision-making, medical collaboration, and real-life outcomes that transformed a child once expected to be tube-fed long-term into a fully oral eater - able to drink thin liquids, eat family meals, and live without suctioning.
This episode is essential listening for therapists, pediatricians, and families who want to understand what may be possible when traditional compensatory approaches are no longer enough.
Key Topics Covered
- Pediatric dysphagia following hypoxic brain injury
- The emotional toll of feeding disorders on families
- Secretion management and aspiration risk in infants
- Oral aversion after medical trauma and intubation
- Collaboration with pediatricians, dietitians, and hospitals
- Weaning from NG and PEG tubes
- Quality-of-life outcomes beyond mealtimes (swimming, daycare, social participation)
Why This Episode Matters
This episode powerfully illustrates that dysphagia is not just about eating—it affects breathing, safety, bonding, independence, recreation, and family life.
Jo’s story reinforces that:
- Even a short, intensive trial can dramatically alter prognosis
- Families deserve to know when a restorative option exists
- Quality-of-life outcomes often extend far beyond the dining table
Notable Quotes
- “I was gobsmacked.”
- “Nine sessions is actually a very small investment of time for something that can change a person’s entire life.”
- “This isn’t just about mealtimes—it’s about swimming, birthday parties, school, and family life.”
- “Why not try?”
Send a text
In this episode of Say Yes to NMES, Craig is joined by Joanna Fyffe, Speech Pathologist at Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Australia, to explore how neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES / VitalStim) is changing outcomes for children with complex disabilities and severe dysphagia.
Joanna shares real clinical cases demonstrating how intensive NMES therapy can dramatically improve secretion management, swallow frequency, hydration, and quality of life—not just for children, but for their families as well. From reducing 24-hour suctioning needs to helping a child avoid feeding-tube surgery altogether, this conversation highlights the broad and often unexpected benefits of NMES across the pediatric population.
This episode is essential listening for therapists, clinicians, and families seeking evidence-based, practical insights into dysphagia management beyond traditional feeding goals.
Key Topics Covered
- NMES as a “green-light” intervention for swallowing in cerebral palsy and similar conditions
- Intensive NMES delivery models (3×/week for 3 weeks)
- Managing secretions as a critical dysphagia outcome
- Reducing aspiration pneumonia risk
- Improving hydration and oral intake
- Avoiding PEG/G-tube placement
- Quality-of-life impact on families and caregivers
- Multidisciplinary coordination in pediatric dysphagia care
Why This Episode Matters
Dysphagia impacts far more than eating—it affects respiratory health, safety, comfort, social participation, and family stress. This episode demonstrates how NMES can be a powerful tool not only for feeding progression, but for long-term health and quality-of-life outcomes across the lifespan.
Notable Quotes
- “There is now at least one full day a week where she doesn’t need suctioning at all.”
- “The best exercise for swallowing is swallowing.”
- “Thickened fluids have a huge correlation with decreased quality of life.”
- “This therapy impacts the whole family, not just the client.”
Send a text
In this episode of Say Yes to NMES, I sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Harvey, a pediatric physical therapist and movement analysis expert with more than 20 years of experience working with medically complex children and their families. Elizabeth shares how her path led her into oral motor therapy and how she now combines NMES with sensory taping strategies to make a lasting difference in the lives of her patients.
We talk about the idea that “sensory drives motor” and how something as simple as a small piece of tape can extend the benefits of NMES well beyond the treatment session. Elizabeth also shares powerful success stories, including how targeting both the core and the oral motor system helped one child move past toe walking, make progress with feeding, and even begin speaking new words.
I think you’ll come away inspired by her approach and reminded of how interdisciplinary collaboration—whether PT, OT, or SLP—can bring new tools and new hope for patients and families facing the toughest challenges.
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/
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.
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/
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 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 aquired 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 Care
https://amarilloskilledcenter.com/
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/
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 - 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 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.
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 talks about her success treating dysphagia in her Head and Neck Cancer Patients using NMES.