What is Myofunctional Therapy?

What is Myofunctional Therapy?

Overview of Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy is an exercise-based treatment program designed to strengthen and retrain the muscles around the face, mouth, and tongue. These exercises aim to improve issues with talking, eating, breathing, and other oral functions. This non-invasive therapy helps normalize muscle function and structure, addressing underlying causes of various conditions.

How Myofunctional Therapy Works

Myofunctional therapy uses neuromuscular re-education exercises to correct orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). These disorders include abnormal movement patterns of the face or mouth caused by factors such as blocked nasal passages, tongue position issues, or prolonged sucking or chewing habits.

  • Goals: Improve tongue posture, lip seal, and nasal breathing.
  • Techniques: Teach muscles, nerves, and the brain to restore optimal function.

This therapy may also assist with speech disorders, tongue thrust, and malocclusion. Additionally, it is sometimes combined with surgical interventions to enhance outcomes, such as for tongue-tie or dental deformities.

Myofunctional Therapy for Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles supporting the soft tissue in the throat relax and block the airway during sleep. Myofunctional therapy strengthens these muscles, improves tongue positioning, and promotes nasal breathing to keep the airway open.

While CPAP remains a primary treatment for sleep apnea, research shows that combining CPAP with myofunctional therapy can improve adherence and outcomes. This makes myofunctional therapy a valuable addition to managing sleep-disordered breathing conditions.

Conditions Treated with Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including:

  • Sleep-disordered breathing: Includes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Speech disorders: Improves articulation and swallowing patterns.
  • Malocclusion: Supports alignment but is not a substitute for traditional orthodontics.
  • Tongue thrust: Corrects infantile swallowing patterns to prevent speech and dental issues.
  • TMJ disorder: May provide relief for associated symptoms.

Success and Effectiveness

Myofunctional therapy is a safe, cost-effective treatment option for many conditions. Its non-invasive nature and emphasis on retraining muscles make it an attractive alternative to surgical interventions or CPAP for sleep apnea. While the therapy is not a cure-all, studies suggest it can significantly improve breathing, speaking, and overall quality of life for many patients.