NMES Therapy (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation)

Think of it as a TENS unit— for the mouth.

NMES is a research-supported therapy that uses gentle electrical stimulation to activate and strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing and speech. The same technology Physical therapists use to rehabilitate injured muscles, adapted for the small, complex muscles of the face, jaw, and throat.

Our therapists are eSwallow NMES certified— specialized training required to safely administer electrical stimulation to the small, delicate muscles of a child’s mouth and throat. Proper training protects your child and ensures effective outcomes.

What to expect:

Small electrodes are placed on the outside of the face or neck. The child feels a light tingling or pulling sensation, most kids describe it as “tickly”. Sessions are combined with active therapy exercises, because stimulation alone doesn’t teach a skill— it amplified the muscle’s ability to learn one.

Who benefits from NMES?

• Children with pediatric dysphagia (swallowing disorders)

• Children with oral motor weakness

• Children with reduced tongue, lip, or jaw strength affecting feeding or speech

• Children who have plateaued in traditional therapy

• Post-tethered-oral-tissue release recovery

• Children with low muscle tone affecting the oral mechanism

Is NMES safe for children?

Yes! When administered by a trained, certified therapist. NMES has been used in pediatric feeding and speech therapy for over two decades. We only use it when clinically appropriate, after a thorough evaluation, and always alongside traditional therapy techniques— never as a standalone treatment.

Why it works:

Traditional therapy asks weak muscles to do hard work— which is tough when those muscles can barley move in the first place.

NMES gives those muscles a boost, so your child can practice the right movements with more strength and coordination than they could produce alone.

Over time, the brain and muscles build the pathways needed to do it independently— without the stimulation

Curious if NMES could help your child? Let’s talk.