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Myofunctional therapy is a program to correct the proper function of the tongue and facial muscles used at rest and for swallowing. The human body—a wondrously complex combination of tissue, bones and chemicals. To keep this mechanical marvel operating at its best, the body needs to properly coordinate its functions.
However, as with any complicated system, when an important function of the body is thrown off, problems develop.
During myofunctional therapy, a trained therapist guides the individual through a series of exercises to improve muscle coordination and function. These exercises target specific muscles to achieve proper tongue posture, breathing through the nose, and swallowing patterns. Additionally, the therapy can help with issues like speech articulation, sleep apnea, and TMJ disorders. Myofunctional therapy is painless and the exercises are relatively simple.
For success in this therapy, consistent exercise every day is necessary until the patient has subconsciously corrected their improper muscle pattern. It also takes constant commitment by the patient, parental support for young patients, and time.
Treatment usually consists of a regular program of exercises over a 6 – 12 month period, although treatment length may vary.
With myofunctional therapy, a patient can regain the joy of eating and speaking, and enjoy cosmetic improvements that help restore confidence and self-esteem.
Those kinds of results make it therapy that’s easy to swallow.
With myofunctional therapy, a patient can regain the joy of eating, speaking, breathing, and even sleeping more soundly. Cosmetic improvements from myofunctional therapy can help restore confidence and self-esteem. We believe that everyone deserves to understand myofunctional disorders and be treated for orofacial myofunctional disorders. We endeavor to increase awareness of orofacial myofunctional therapy amongst the medical, dental, and academic communities to promote this multidisciplinary treatment.
Dr. Jenny and her team are unique in that they incorporate a broad array of techniques to be able to handle all types of breathing disorders, Craniofacial disorders, and swallowing dysfunctions.
All clinicians at the Hobson Institute are trained in myofunctional therapy by Dr. Jenny and her senior staff. Dr. Jenny has incorporated her TMJ and CranialFacial Rocabado training to also include all the additional Airway focused training such as GOPex (good oral posture exercises), Uplocker Academy training (back of the tongue to palate training to improve sleep and airway stability, vacuum activator training), Buteyko Breathing Method (to work on volume and to train nasal breathing) and Myofunctional therapy training from the IAOM and AOMT.
The act of swallowing is one function that depends on proper patterning. To swallow properly, muscles and nerves in the tongue, cheeks and throat must work together in harmony.
When a person swallows normally, the tip of the tongue presses firmly against the roof of the mouth or hard palate, located slightly behind the front teeth. The tongue acts as a “Fulcrum,” or starting point, that allows other muscles involved in swallowing to function normally. The hard palate, meanwhile, absorbs the force created by the tongue. Because a person swallows 1,000 to 2,000 times a day, it is easy to see how improper swallowing can cause a variety of problems. However, it is the rest position of the tongue that may influence proper functioning patterns most of all.
When a person swallows incorrectly, the tip and/or sides of the tongue press against or spread between the teeth. This is commonly called tongue thrust.
Constant pressure from resting or incorrectly thrusting the tongue away from the hard palate may push teeth out of place. That pressure may later prevent teeth from erupting (breaking through the gum).
Oral myofunctional disorder may also lead to an abnormal bite—the improper alignment between the upper and lower teeth known as a malocclusion. This problem may lead to difficulties in biting, chewing, swallowing and digesting food.
Often the most obvious symptom of incorrect oral posture involves the muscles of the face. A dull, sluggish appearance and full, weak lips develop when muscles aren’t operating normally.
Constantly parted lips (with or without mouth breathing) also signal this disorder. A person swallowing incorrectly will often purse and tighten the muscles of the cheeks, chin and lips—a symptom known as a facial grimace. This can give the chin a knobby appearance, known as a chin button.
A person with abnormal oral muscle patterns may suffer a lisp or have difficulty articulating sounds. Incorrect position of the tongue and lips can prevent a person from forming sounds of normal speech.
Improper oral muscle function may additionally lead to TMJ dysfunction, headaches, stomach distress (from the swallowing of air), posture, airway obstruction and other health challenges.
Occasionally, other problems within the body can lead to a swallowing difficulty. A respiratory disorder or airway obstruction, such as enlarged adenoids or tonsils, can be a cause. So can various physical abnormalities and allergies. Sometimes, inherited oral patterns create problems. A tight frenulum, the string that holds the tongue to the floor of the mouth, may restrict proper function.
Habitual sucking of the thumb or fingers may also cause a swallowing problem. Thumb sucking can push the tongue into an unnatural position when swallowing or resting which can damage the teeth and dental arch. Correct positioning of the tongue and lips can also be difficult to maintain when this occurs, leading to an improper functioning pattern of the tongue.
If incorrect muscle patterning or swallowing has created a malocclusion, learning proper techniques may prevent further damage. Careful diagnosis and special orthodontic appliances or braces will be needed to reposition dental problems that have already occurred.
Contact us to make an appointment with one of our clinicians today.
