Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is a one on one therapy with a trained Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist or Orofacial Myologist. The Myofunctional Therapy focuses on neuromuscular reeducation of the muscles in the face, tongue and neck. This Myofunctional therapy effects change in chewing breathing and swallowing functions.
Specific exercises are given that address the weaker orofacial muscles. Each week a new set of exercises are given, the child or adult, that builds on the progress made from the previous week.
There are some health professionals that give the patient a plastic oral appliance to wear 20 minutes twice a day, and sleep with it over night, and call it Myofunctional therapy, I disagree. Using an appliance alone may encourage nasal breathing but does not change oral muscle dysfunction. A personalized therapy program that targets weaker orofacial muscles and their function is what is needed in a good myofunctional therapy program.
Myofunctional Therapy retrains dysfunctional muscles of the tongue and face to function correctly, creating brand new neuropathways in the brain for better life long function.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is like physical therapy, specifically addressing dysfunctional muscle groups of the lips, tongue and cheeks. Synchronicity of the facial muscles and TMJ joints are important. Improper function may lead to TMD pain.
Myofunctional therapy is recommended for children as young as 2 and adults as old as 90+, who are having challenges with proper chewing breathing and swallowing function. Therapy sessions can be accomplished in person, FaceTime or SKYPE
