Aquatic Therapy Can Help with Feeding Issues

Generally when there are feeding issues, they are either the result of structural issues, sensory issues or a combination of both. Aquatic therapy is beneficial to helping with these issues for the following reasons:

Structural Issues
The mechanics of muscle coordination needed for sucking or chewing/breathing/swallowing are quite complex and involve many phases of movement and functioning. When immersed in water, the body naturally elongates the neck for increased ability to breath. This elongation for holding the head above water is strengthening the same muscles needed for swallowing. There is also increased pressure against the chest from the water, which increases endurance for breathing. With the use of balance boards and positioning, core strengthening is also occurring in the water, which can aid with increased ability and comfort for the digestive process.

Chewing/Sucking Muscles
Strengthening and gaining coordination in the water is viewed as play, and is therefore fun. Here are some of the techniques utilized for different muscles:

Orbicularis Oris (lips)...strengthen through bubble blowing and making puffer fish faces.
Buccinator (cheeks)...smiley faces, kissy faces, puffer fish faces.
Genioglossis (muscle from chin to tongue)...sticking out tongue, pretending to be frogs on a lily pad.
Styloglossis (enables cupping of the tongue)...tongue exercises, pretending to be frogs.
Palatopharyngeus (soft palate)...naturally strengthens by positioning in water to elevate head above the water.
Temporalis (elevates and retracts the jaw)...alligator and hippo play, pretending to chomp.

Sensory Issues
Often tactile defensiveness contributes to difficulty with eating. If the body does not feel good and is not interpreting stimuli in a positive manner, then the defenses go up and the child is no longer interested in feeding in regards to touch, smell, or taste.

By being immersed in warm, pleasant water with comforting and supportive positioning by your therapist, the tactile senses are able to have positive comforting input. The body can begin to desensitize over time, allowing for more positive input. This is teaching the brain that it can relax.

Once this positive, calm state has been reached, it is the ideal time to focus on feeding as the brain and body are in a low alert state and more accepting of new stimuli. Providing a feeding session following an aquatic session is the ideal time to maintain positive exploration.

Increased body comfort can also contribute to increased weight gain.

For more information regarding these, and other services, provided by Lullaby Waters, call (208) 985-5265 or visit LullabyWaters.com.