What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional, adj. : of, relating to, or concerned with muscle function
Think of it a physiotherapy for the tongue, mouth, face, head and neck.
Myofunctional Therapy is a specialised practice aimed at re-educating the muscles of the face, mouth and tongue to promote correct breathing, oral resting posture, chewing and swallowing.
This gentle, non-invasive approach takes a holistic view, addressing the underlying causes of dysfunction rather than simply managing the symptoms. It can offer significant benefits and lasting change from early childhood through to adulthood.
The 4 Goals of Myofunctional Therapy
1. Establish nasal breathing
2. Achieve a consistent lip seal
2. Achieve a consistent lip seal
Move away from the harmful, compensatory habits of mouth breathing and benefit from functional nasal breathing – all day and night. Nasal breathing filters and humidifies the air we breathe and improves oxygen levels. It is crucial for optimal health, proper facial development in children and structural stability of the teeth.
2. Achieve a consistent lip seal
2. Achieve a consistent lip seal
2. Achieve a consistent lip seal
A constant lip seal supports nasal breathing. A lips apart resting posture is often the result of a nasal and/or airway obstruction. However, once the obstruction is corrected, the open mouth posture often remains as a persistent habit.
3. Create a high tongue posture
4. Achieve a proper, functional swallow pattern
4. Achieve a proper, functional swallow pattern
Low tongue posture is more likely to obstruct the airway and cause breathing problems at night. It is also detrimental to teeth and orthodontic treatment. When the tongue is high, in the correct space, it should provide internal support and guidance for the upper arch to develop.
4. Achieve a proper, functional swallow pattern
4. Achieve a proper, functional swallow pattern
4. Achieve a proper, functional swallow pattern
Retraining the tongue to rest and move against the roof of the mouth during a swallow rather than push forward against the teeth eliminates dysfunctional forward thrusting habits.
Dysfunctional tongue thrust leads to an anterior open bite