Myofunctional Therapy
Focusing on strengthening and retraining the tongue, mouth, and face using repeated and straightforward exercises, our practice works to reduce the symptoms of sleep disordered breathing (such as snoring), and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
What is Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD)?
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders better known as OMD’s can occur when an abnormal lip, jaw, or tongue position interferes with your orofacial structures’ development and function. OMDs can negatively impact breastfeeding, chewing, swallowing, and talking.
They also affect your jaw movement, oral hygiene, and the way your face looks.
Common Symptoms of OMD include:
- Snoring
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Tongue thrust
- Mouth breathing (day or night)
- Clenching/grinding teeth
- Strong gag reflex
- Chronic allergies/congestion
- Asthma
- Frequent headaches/migraines
- Forward head/neck posture
- Crowded/crooked teeth
- Orthodontic relapse
- History of speech issues
- Neck and shoulder tension/pain
- Lip/tongue/cheek ties
- Sleep issues
- Difficulty swallowing food or pills
- Noxious oral habits (nail biting, thumb sucking, prolonged pacifier use, lip biting, etc.)
What is Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy uses a combination of physical therapy exercises to improve the bite, nasal breathing, and facial posture of those with orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs).
The training targets the face, neck, and mouth’s soft tissues to reach optimal tongue position and oral rest posture. OMDs can affect people of all ages, and treatment is customized based on your age and symptoms.
Treatment of OMD
The treatment of OMD through Myofunctional Therapy is a non-invasive, non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical approach. Following a program of Myofunctional Therapy can alleviate the symptoms of OMD.
Disclaimer
Myofunctional Therapy is only intended to achieve proper oral rest posture and encourage nasal breathing. Myofunctional Therapy cannot diagnose or provide a cure for the OMD symptoms listed above. We work collaboratively with other specialists who are able to diagnose and/or treat accordingly.
