I'm a speech-language pathologist & co-founder of Tactus. Tactus offers evidence-based apps for aphasia therapy and lots of free resources, articles, and education - like this newsletter. Sign up to get my updates 1-2 times a month.
🤔 The exercise that’s tricky to spell… and to teach
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Hello Reader, Remember the first time you really noticed your own swallow in school? The lift, the forward motion… it seemed simple—until you learned just how complex it actually is. 😵💫 As clinicians, we know that swallowing is anything but simple. Fortunately, we have many tools at our disposal, and advances in technology are making it easier than ever to apply them effectively. 👉 In case you missed it, our latest blog breaks down the major dysphagia exercises, the research behind them, and the best ways to implement them: What SLPs Need to Know: Dysphagia Exercises. 🎯 ✨Spotlight: The Mendelsohn Maneuver ⤴️Some exercises stand the test of time. One that’s just as tricky to spell as it is to teach is the Mendelsohn maneuver. Introduced decades ago, it’s still a go-to for targeting hyolaryngeal movement, pharyngeal pressure, UES opening, and esophageal pressure (Khemlani et al., 2024). But there’s a reason it challenges clinicians as well as patients. For us, it's tough to:
sEMG can help, but most clinicians don't have access to it. And even when it's available in the clinic, it rarely follows the patient home. 🤩 That’s why we’re excited to introduce our newest treatment in the Tactus Virtual Rehab Center: The Mendelsohn Maneuver. 🎥 See it in action here: Learn more about how it works.
Here's what you'll love: ✨ Clear demonstration video (pause, rewind, practice together) Now you can focus on coaching their technique while we handle the logistics. And your patients get the support they need between sessions. 💫 ✅ Want to try it out? Get free access today!With your 21-day trial of the Virtual Rehab Center, you’ll unlock: 👉 Start your 21-day free trial now. No obligation, cancel anytime. Whether you’re brushing up on the research or looking to bring more tech into your practice, these resources make dysphagia intervention more effective and home programs easier. Thanks for everything you do to help your patients rebuild confidence and safety with swallowing. Here’s to taking a bite out of the challenges of dysphagia therapy — together. 😉 Megan P.S. The Virtual Rehab Center now includes 2 interactive dysphagia treatments and 9 high-quality swallowing education handouts, with more on the way! 🚀 |
Megan @ Tactus Therapy
I'm a speech-language pathologist & co-founder of Tactus. Tactus offers evidence-based apps for aphasia therapy and lots of free resources, articles, and education - like this newsletter. Sign up to get my updates 1-2 times a month.
Hello! The year is flying by, isn't it? ✈️ I just looked up and realized it's been 6 months since I last sent out a list of new resources related to medical speech pathology. 🤯 So here are some of the most exciting things I've found lately, and a few that my team has created for you! 1. 🧠 interact-ABI-lity: A free online training for family, friends, and professionals working in brain injury. Learn how best to interact with people with a brain injury with this self-guided communication...
Hello Reader, A student once asked me, “When did you get comfortable treating dysphagia?” 🤔 Honestly, I don’t think anyone ever does. It’s high-stakes, with limited and constantly changing research. You have to stay on your toes! That’s why I’m excited to share two new resources to make swallowing therapy simpler, more targeted, and easier to track: 📚 NEW Blog: What SLPs Need to Know: Dysphagia Exercises gives you practical guidance for swallowing treatment💻 NEW Treatment: Effortful Swallow...
When we hear “aphasia,” we think of language problems—like trouble speaking or understanding. 🗣️👂 But for many people with aphasia, that’s only part of the story. In fact, research shows that 79% of people with severe aphasia also have problems with something called executive functions (Olsson et al., 2019). 🧠 What Are Executive Functions—and Why Do They Matter? Executive functions are thinking skills that help us manage everyday life. These skills allow us to plan, stay focused, identify...