Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional Therapy
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What is Myofunctional Therapy?
A combination of trained exercises or physical therapy that work to improve facial posture, bite and breathing.
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Starting at infancy, the habits we develop begin to translate to how our musculoskeletal system will function later in life. Through natural training of the muscles in the face, we can work to develop natural habits which result in a more biological alignment of the jaw and teeth as we grow. Therapy includes facial and tongue exercises. These behavior modification techniques promote proper tongue positioning which can optimize breathing, chewing and swallowing and overall whole-body health.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD)
are disorders of the muscles and functions of the face and mouth. These disorders are most commonly recognized when there is an abnormal positioning of the lips or tongue, or functions of chewing, swallowing or speech. You may also see this in pro-longed oral habits, like thumb or finger sucking. OMD’s may also be caused by allergies or enlarged tonsils causing one to breathe through their mouth when their lips are at rest.
Why Myofunctional Therapy?
1. It’s a cost effective and convenient treatment option
2. Benefits basic bodily functions
3. Provides long-term cosmetic benefits
4. May prevent need for orthodontic treatments
Myofunctional therapy can benefit the bodily functions of eating, breathing, sleeping and speaking along with providing long-term cosmetic benefits. Training the soft tissues of the face, neck and mouth will inevitably help these tissues function at the height of their ability. When we work to strengthen the tongue and other orofacial muscles, we can help resolve additional issues related to jaw pain, posture, orthodontic relapse and neck tension.
The therapeutic exercises will help strengthen the range of motion of the jaw, cheeks, lips and tongue.
Who benefits from Myofunctional Therapy?
We see patients of all ages
who benefit from the therapy habits created with the help of a Myofunctional Therapist. Patients may begin therapy as early as the toddler years or well into their senior years.
Children may benefit at a young age to help correct prolonged pacifier use or a thumb sucking habit that was formed during infancy. If these habits are corrected early enough and the child is taught proper tongue positioning, breathing, chewing and swallowing, much of this damage may be reversed eliminating the future need of corrective orthodontics.
Many adults
suffering from Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), neck pain, headaches, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), nail biting and those with sleep apnea all can greatly benefit from Myofunctional Therapy.
Our goal with your commitment to OMT
We will create a unique program of regular exercises designed specifically for you.
Once trained, your subconscious musculoskeletal system will function optimally. Your lips will rest together rather than apart, your tongue will rest on the roof of your mouth and you will primarily breathe through your nose.
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