Kinesiology Taping Techniques for Swallowing Disorders

Elastic taping techniques have gained the attention of rehab providers offering support while allowing functional movement. This research-based modality has a variety of applications to address functional impairment. This course will focus on taping strategies relevant to dysphagia therapy. Therapeutic applications provide re-education of the neuromuscular system, influence lymphatic drainage, improve localized circulation and reduce pain. Diagnoses familiar to the dysphagia specialist benefit from its use.

Taping strategies offer muscular inhibition as in craniomandibular hypertonus, muscular recruitment facilitating hyoid movement and minimize postural compensation related to sensory input. This course will educate the dysphagia clinician on the therapeutic benefit of taping to improve motor patterns and facilitate a client's functional independence. Though focused on the adult population, experienced pediatric clinicians can easily apply these techniques to the pediatric population.

Dr. John Kelly, M.P.T.

A graduate of the University of St. Augustine’s graduate Physical Therapy Program. John has over 17 years’ experience with acute inpatient and hospital-based outpatient rehabilitation and currently an outpatient clinical director for Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. John continues to balance full time patient care with administrative responsibilities. John is NDT certified and an experienced manual orthopedic therapist working toward his clinical doctorate and manual therapy certification. John is a certified VitalStim® Instructor and has taught orthopaedic and electrotherapy courses across the country. John is an accomplished clinical instructor and consistently is recognized for his exceptional patient rapport and strong evaluations from course participants.

Course Outcomes

• Review oral, pharyngeal myofascial anatomy and physiology
• Describe biomechanical consequence of muscular and soft tissue dysfuntion with their effects on swallowing
• Define postural impairment and basic craniomandibular dysfuntion and their relationship to mastication
• Define impaired breath patterns and proper assessment in a functional breathing screening.
• Dsicuss precautions and contraindications for preparatory myofacsial release and taping application
• Demonstrate evaluation, basic soft tissue mobilization and taping application for the jaw, anterior cervical, rib cage and scapula in feeding treatment
• Identify a proper treatment approach utilizing medical taping techniques through selected case study based on evaluation findings
• Identify postural dysfuntion and upper quadrant instability and relate to an interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation in the management of swallowing impairment.

Program Flow

10.00-10.30 Registration / Sign in
10.30-10.45 Program overview / objectives
10.45-11.00 Anatomy and kinematics: oral, pharyngeal, esophageal and diaphragm breathing patterns
11.00-12.00 Integrating postural instability
12.00-12.30 Lab: hyolaryngeal palpation and myofascial/ postural assessment
12.30-12.45 Taping application guidelines and treatment considerations
12.45-01.00 Break
01.00-01.30 Lab/ Discussion: tissue preparation with oral and facial myofascial release technique
01.30-02.45 Lab/Discussion: application for the face and jaw
02.45-03.45 Lunch
03.45-04.00 Lab/ Discussion: tissue preparation with anterior neck myofascial release technique
04.00-05.45 Lab: application for the anterior neck
05.45-06.00 Break
06.00-06.15 Lab/ Discussion: Tissue preparation with trunk lateral wall myofascial release technique
06.15-07.30 Lab: Taping application for the posterior neck, upper quadrant and truck
07.30- 07.45 Case study and discussion