Myofunctional Therapy for Adults
Are you curious about what myofunctional therapy is and if you would benefit from it? Well you are in the right place! But first let’s discuss orofacial development, what myofunctional disorders are, red flags and then we can dive in to what it is and how it can benefit you.
Orofacial Development
Orofacial development starts when we are babies. It encompasses the growth and maturation of structures related to the mouth and face during the early years of life. This period is critical for the establishment of functions such as breathing, feeding, swallowing, speech, and facial expression. I personally was impacted by mouth breathing, snoring, difficulties sleeping, constant sickness, orthodontic relapse and the list goes on. If you are able ask about your childhood and see if you demonstrated any early signs of myofunctional issues I would!
So, What Is A Myofunctional Disorder?
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) are patterns involving orofacial musculature that interfere with normal growth, development, or function of orofacial (mouth and face) structures, or call attention to themselves. It involves the disruption of the stomatognathic system primarily related to chewing, breathing and swallowing.
Causes
There is not a known, single cause of OMDs but may be caused by several factors:
Blocked nasal passages due to tonsil size or allergies. When the nasal passages are blocked, people may need to breathe through their mouths instead.
Anything that causes the tongue to be misplaced at rest or makes it difficult to keep the lips together at rest.
Sucking and chewing/swallowing habits past age appropriate timelines (pacifiers, thumb sucking, tongue thrust to swallow, etc).
Red Flags/Signs + Symptoms:
If you demonstrate any of these signs and symptoms you may want to consider receiving a myofunctional evaluation to see if you would benefit from therapy!
Mouth breathing
Open mouth posture at rest
The tongue pushing past the teeth (anterior or lateral), even when you are not talking or using the tongue
Limited tongue movement or range of motion.
Tongue tie, lip tie, cheek tie
Atypical swallow
Eating may be messy or difficult beyond age appropriate timelines.
An overbite, underbite, and/or other dental problems (malocclusion)
Narrow high vaulted palate
Difficulty saying some sounds, like "s" in "sun," "sh" in "ship," or "j" in "jump."
Drooling, especially beyond age 2.
Difficulty closing the lips to swallow.
Noxious oral habits (tongue, lip, pacifier, thumb, nail biting, lip licking, cheek biting, pencil biting, etc)
Facial compensation to swallow (cheek, lip, neck, face grimacing)
Enlarged tonsils / adenoids observed by doctor
TMD/TMJD
Jaw pain
Sleep disorders
Grinding/clenching
Low tongue resting posture
Snoring
Cavities gum disease
Allergic shiners/Venous Pooling underneath the eyes
Ear Infections
History of Infant feeding problems
Forward head posture
Chronic back pain
Why Do We Treat?
The primary purpose of myofunctional therapy is to create an oral environment in which normal processes of orofacial and dental growth and development can take place, and be maintained.
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional Therapy treats the UNDERLYING orofacial myofunctional disorders of chewing, breathing and swallowing.
Myofunctional therapy focuses on using exercises/tools to:
Promoting nasal breathing for optimal breathing and facial development
Preventing tongue thrust at rest which can lead to dental, speech and swallowing difficulties
Promoting lip seal for optimal facial development
Identify and address restricted tongue, lip, cheek ties to prevent breathing, swallowing and speech difficulties
Combination of speech & myofunctional therapy identify and target significant speech problems (developmental vs. hidden cause) in order to improve functional communication
So What Does Myofunctional Therapy Look Like?
Assessment and Evaluation: The first step in myofunctional therapy is typically an assessment by a certified myofunctional therapist to identify the individual's strengths, weaknesses, and orofacial myofunctional goals. The SLP will conduct various tests and observations to assess speech, breathing and swallowing abilities.
Goal Setting: Based on the assessment findings, the myofunctional therapist will develop personalized treatment goals in collaboration with the individual and their caregivers. These goals may target specific areas such as improving breathing, swallowing/chewing and speech habits.
TREATMENT ALWAYS TARGETS THESE AREAS IN THIS ORDER: 1) Breathing 2) Swallow 3) Chew and 4) Speech.
Therapeutic Techniques and Activities: Myofunctional therapy sessions may involve a variety of therapeutic techniques and activities tailored to address the individual's needs. These may include:
Nasal Breathing Exercises
Tongue Thrust Remediation Exercises
Lip Seal Exercises
Pre/Post Op Care for Tethered Oral Tissues (tongue tie, lip ties, cheek ties) / Tongue Tie Release / Frenectomy
Oral Habit Elimination Programs (decreasing pacifier use or thumb sucking)
Combination of Myofunctional Therapy and Speech Therapy to correct speech errors.
Phase 1: Intensive Phase. Lasts about 8-10 weeks. Includes weekly sessions.
Phase 2: Generalization Phase. Last about 2-3 months. Includes bi-weekly sessions.
Phase 3: Habituation Phase. Lasts about 2-3 months. Includes bi-weekly to ‘every three weeks’ sessions.
Phase 4: Maintenance Phase. Lasts about 6 months. Includes monthly check ins.
Home Practice: Individuals will be given homework assignments or activities to practice between therapy sessions. Consistent practice outside of therapy can help reinforce skills and accelerate progress!
Progress Monitoring: Throughout the course of therapy, the myofunctional therapist will regularly assess the individual's progress towards their goals and make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.
Collaboration and Support: Myofunctional therapy often involves collaboration with other professionals, such as dentists, orthodontists, sleep physicians, ENTs, primary care doctors, OT, PTs, chiropractors, etc. to provide comprehensive care and support. Family members and caregivers may also be involved in therapy sessions to learn strategies for supporting the individual's myofunctional development.
Overall, myofunctional therapy is highly individualized and aims to address the unique orofacial myofunitonal needs and challenges of each person receiving treatment. Sessions are conducted in a supportive and engaging environment to facilitate learning and progress.
So There You Have It!
Please let us know if you have any questions.
If you would like to set up a free consultation, an evaluation or mentoring you can connect with us here!
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American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders. (Practice Portal). Retrieved Nov, 11th, 2023, from www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Orofacial-Myofunctional-Disorders/.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.) Speech Sound Disorders: Articulation and Phonology. (Practice Portal). Retrieved March, 24, 2022, from www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Articulation-and-Phonology/.
Bernthal, J.E., Bankson, N.W., & Flipsen Jr, P. (2017). Articulation and Phonological Disorders Speech Sound Disorders in Children. New Jersey: Pearson Education
Bonuck K, et al. "Sleep-disordered breathing in a population-based cohort: Behavioral outcomes at 4 and 7 years" Pediatrics 2012; 129: 1–9.
Ranly DM. Early orofacial development. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 1998 Summer;22(4):267-75. PMID: 9796494.
Sleep Wrecked Kids, Sharon Moore, 2018, McPhersons Printing
Trabalon, M., & Schaal, B. (2012). It takes a mouth to eat and a nose to breathe: abnormal oral respiration affects neonates' oral competence and systemic adaptation. International journal of pediatrics, 2012, 207605. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/207605
