The Collaborative Role of PT in Helping Patients Recover Speech, Swallowing, and Movement
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, a time to raise awareness about communication and swallowing challenges—and the professionals who help address them. While speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are typically the primary providers of treatment in these areas, physical therapists (PTs) also play a critical role in helping individuals with neurological conditions regain the strength, coordination, and postural control needed for safe swallowing and effective communication.
For individuals recovering from stroke, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or other neurological conditions, rehabilitation is a team effort—and PTs are a key part of that team.
Understanding the Neurological Connection
Neurological conditions can affect the brain’s ability to control muscles used for speech (dysarthria), voice (aphonia), and swallowing (dysphagia). These impairments often occur alongside mobility limitations, muscle weakness, and poor posture, which can all further complicate communication and eating.
Physical therapy doesn’t replace speech therapy—but it enhances it. By improving head, neck, and core control, PT creates the physical foundation for safe, functional communication and swallowing.
How Physical Therapy Helps:
1. Improving Postural Control
Slouched or unstable posture can impair breathing, speech projection, and swallowing efficiency. PTs use targeted exercises to strengthen postural muscles and train proper seated and standing alignment, which benefits both speech and swallowing.
2. Enhancing Respiratory Strength
Breath support is essential for speaking clearly and safely swallowing. PTs incorporate breathing exercises and mobility work that improve chest expansion and diaphragm engagement—supporting both voice production and safe coughing to clear the airway.
3. Increasing Neck and Trunk Stability
Neurological impairments often cause poor head or neck positioning, making swallowing more difficult or unsafe. PTs train patients on safe head positioning, body mechanics, and transfers to improve safety during meals and therapy sessions.
4. Supporting Safe Mobility During Meals
Eating isn’t only about swallowing—it involves getting to the table, sitting safely, and maintaining balance while chewing. PTs help patients safely move around the home or facility, reducing fall risks during meals and transitions.
5. Boosting Overall Function and Coordination
Fatigue, weakness, and coordination deficits can make communication difficult. Physical therapy focuses on whole-body strength, endurance, and function, which indirectly improves energy and engagement for speech and cognitive tasks.
Real-Life Applications
For example, after a stroke, a patient might work with:
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An SLP to relearn how to speak or swallow safely
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A PT to improve trunk control, increase walking stability, and reduce aspiration risk by improving posture and coordination
In Parkinson’s disease, PT may help slow the progression of movement-related changes that affect voice, breathing, and swallowing by maintaining flexibility, strength, and control.
Working Together for Whole-Person Recovery
Physical therapy doesn’t treat communication or swallowing directly—but it makes both easier and more effective. Collaborating with speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physicians, PTs help create an environment where speech therapy can succeed.
Recovery from neurological conditions often requires support from an entire care team. Physical therapy plays an essential supporting role in improving posture, mobility, and respiratory function—key building blocks for communication and swallowing success.
If you or a loved one is navigating a neurological diagnosis, don’t overlook the power of PT. Contact us today to learn how our therapy team can help support your recovery—one movement, breath, and meal at a time.