“Myo” and Breathing
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy focuses on a neuromuscular re-education of the oral and facial muscles. According to the Breathe Institute, Myofunctional Therapy involves the use of “highly effective physical therapy exercises to improve breathing, bite, and orofacial posture.” It is a non-invasive, affordable treatment option to help train our muscles to work in the way that they were designed.
Why would anyone need Myofunctional Therapy? Beginning as early as infancy, functions such as swallowing, suction, mastication, and nasal breathing play an essential role in future orofacial development and unfortunately many of us aren’t doing it right!
When orofacial muscles do not develop properly it leads to poor airway development, which ultimately leads to crowded teeth, jaw problems/pain, and breathing issues including sleep disordered breathing, sleep apnea, and mouth breathing.
A wonderful adventure for all ages.
“Better habits mean better breathing and better breathing means a healthier life!”
What Are Myofunctional Therapy Exercises and what does our program consist of?
Myofunctional Therapy involves a series of facial and tongue exercises, as well as behavior modifications, to improve the tongue’s resting position in the mouth (IAOMT), as well as strengthen the range of motion of the jaw, cheeks, and lips. This is referred to as the proper oral posture. There is also a huge focus on primarily becoming a nose breather both day and night. It is well established that the nose humidifies, warms, and filters the air we breath, and nasal breathing promotes proper facial development. The body processes air differently when you breathe through your nose compared to your mouth. There are many different breathing methods out there including the Buteyko Breath Method and the Wim Hof Breathing Method. Both approaches claim improving overall health, anxiety, asthma, sleep quality and more. Breathing properly can be life-changing for some people.
Myofunctional Therapy is an Adjunct for the Treatment of Several Disorders.
According to the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT), the ability to swallow is dependent on the body’s biological balance, and because the average person will swallow around 500-1,000 times a day, this specific function can lead to several health and behavioral issues for both children and adults.
A wonderful adventure for all ages.
Mandy’s Myo Program
Each treatment plan is specifically tailored to each patient. During an hour and a half appointment, Mandy does a thorough and comprehensive intake exam. Typically, she will meet with you bi-weekly either in person or via a virtual, HIPAA compliant platform, to evaluate progress and review exercises. If it is deemed that a frenectomy is recommended that will be performed once the patient has demonstrated sufficient strength and improvement, typically after 6-8wks in therapy. The entire myofunctional program is roughly 6-9mo.
Call our office to schedule a free 30 minute consultation with Mandy to learn more about the program and whether it would benefit you or your family members.