It’s Like Physical Therapy, For Your Face

Orofacial Myofunctional therapy (“myo”) is just like physical therapy, designed to restore proper breathing and oral function through simple exercises focused on the muscles of the mouth, face, head, and neck.

Main Goals of Myofunctional Therapy are: 

  • ✺

    Correct tongue posture

  • ✺

    Establish nasal breathing for better airway function

  • ✺

    Improve chewing and swallowing function

Common Symptoms of
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD):

Physical Pain & Tension

  • Frequent headaches/migraines

  • Neck and shoulder tension/pain

  • Jaw pain and/or popping

  • Forward head and neck posture

Anatomical & Structural

  • Tongue/lip/cheek tie

Digestive & Other

  • Acid reflux/digestive issues

Sleep & Breathing Issues

OMD often disrupts normal breathing patterns, leading to mouth breathing instead of proper nasal breathing. This can cause sleep disturbances, snoring, and even sleep apnea. Poor tongue posture and muscle function can obstruct airways, while chronic mouth breathing may worsen allergies and respiratory issues.

Oral Function & Swallowing

When the tongue and oral muscles don't function properly, basic activities like swallowing become difficult. An overactive gag reflex, food aversions, and swallowing problems often stem from improper tongue positioning and muscle coordination. Repetitive oral habits can further disrupt normal function.

Dental & Orthodontic

Poor tongue posture and muscle imbalances create abnormal pressures on teeth and jaws. The tongue may push against teeth (tongue thrusting) or fail to provide proper support, leading to bite problems, crowding, and orthodontic issues. Even after treatment, these underlying muscle patterns can cause relapse.

Physical Pain & Tension

OMD affects the entire head and neck region. Poor oral posture often leads to forward head positioning, which strains neck and shoulder muscles. Jaw dysfunction from improper muscle patterns can cause TMJ problems, headaches, and referred pain throughout the head and neck area.

Developmental & Behavioural

OMD can impact speech development when the tongue doesn't move properly for clear articulation. The chronic fatigue from poor sleep and breathing may contribute to attention difficulties, while the social impact of speech or appearance issues can affect emotional wellbeing.

Anatomical & Structural

Tongue, lip, or cheek ties (restrictive tissue connections) can limit proper movement and positioning of these structures, directly contributing to OMD by preventing normal muscle function and oral rest posture.

Digestive & Other

Poor swallowing patterns and mouth breathing can lead to digestive issues. Improper swallowing may cause acid reflux, while mouth breathing can disrupt the natural digestive process that begins in the oral cavity.

Sleep & Breathing Issues

  • Snoring

  • Obstructive sleep apnea

  • Mouth breathing (day and/or night)

  • Sleep difficulties

  • Waking up feeling tired

  • Chronic congestion/allergies

  • Asthma

Oral Function & Swallowing

  • Difficulty swallowing food or pills

  • Strong gag reflux

  • Strong food aversions/picky eater

  • Tongue thrusting

  • Noxious oral habits (thumb sucking, tongue sucking, prolonged pacifier use, nail biting, etc.)

Dental & Orthodontic

  • Open bite

  • Gummy smile

  • Crowded and/or crooked teeth

  • Orthodontic relapse

  • High incidence of tooth decay

  • Teeth grinding and/or clenching

Developmental & Behavioral

  • History of speech problems

  • Anxiety/depression

  • ADD/ADHD

  • Bedwetting beyond age 6