What is Myofunctional Therapy?

Highly Effective Program of Exercises that Train the Muscles Around the Face, Mouth and Tongue to Improve Talking, Eating, Breathing and Sleeping. 

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Orofacial “mouth and face” myofunctional “muscle function” therapy (OMT) is a neuromuscular re-education of the oral and facial muscles. It’s done through a series of tailored exercises, awareness, and reduction of muscle compensations. The overarching goal is to restore normal function by correcting improper muscle movements, teaching correct chewing, swallowing and breathing patterns, and improving airway health.

This therapy is used to manage a variety of disorders including:

child doing myofunctional therapy with adult
  • Tongue tie
  • Tongue thrusting
  • Low tongue posture/open mouth posture
  • Mouth breathing
  • Anterior open bite
  • Grinding and/or clenching
  • TMJ pain
  • Snoring/sleep apnea
  • Chronic headaches/neck and/or shoulder pain
  • GERD
  • Chronic bloating/gas
  • Habit elimination such as thumb sucking/nail biting
  • Lip and/or cheek biting
  • Hair chewing
  • Pencil and/or other object chewing
  • Drooling
  • Picky and/or messy eating
  • Chronic fatigue/waking up tired

These dysfunctions can significantly affect sleep quality, dentition, chewing, swallowing, speech, and overall mental and physical health including hormone regulation, growth, attention span and more.

Myofunctional therapy is for everyone, both children and adults. It is completely non-invasive and can be instrumental in re-training the muscles of the face and tongue that have been in dysfunction for years. Restoring normal function to the tongue and facial muscles can have full body benefits.

Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy:

  • Improved airway health
  • Increased energy and alertness
  • Reduced clenching/grinding
  • Reduced TMJ pain and headaches
  • Decreased sleep apnea and snoring
  • Prevention of orthodontic relapse (teeth moving after braces)
  • Increasing tone and mobility of oral structures
  • Establishing symmetry to the face
I was extremely impressed with all the knowledge and support Staci provided me. I have been treated by her since last year and I have noticed a significant improvement in my daily activities. I was diagnosed with a tongue tie and tongue thrust. It caused me to not sleep well at night and have expensive orthodontic treatments such as braces, retainers, and mouth guard. I would have saved a lot of money and time correcting the issue had it been diagnosed a long time ago. Finally with therapy I am solving the root of the problem with exercises and proper tongue posture. With myofunctional therapy I am confident when I get my braces removed for the third time in my lifetime, I will not be needing them again! Staci did an excellent job engaging me and giving me attainable goals after each session. She was great to work with and would highly recommend her!!! She does amazing work and genuinely cares about the patients she treats.

Paula D.