A myofunctional therapist is a specialist focused on the muscles of the mouth, face, and neck, addressing dysfunctional patterns that impact essential functions like breathing, swallowing, and speech. These specialists use a personalized program of exercises to re-educate the oral and facial musculature. The goal of this therapy is to establish proper resting posture for the tongue and lips, which supports correct skeletal development and long-term health.
What Exactly is a Myofunctional Therapist?
A myofunctional therapist, often practicing Oral Myofunctional Therapy (OMT), is a healthcare professional trained to identify and correct Oral Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs). OMDs are improper habits or positions of the tongue, lips, and jaw that interfere with the normal growth and function of orofacial structures. The core focus is muscle re-education, where the therapist works to create new, healthy muscle movement patterns that become automatic. This approach addresses the root causes of dysfunction rather than just the symptoms.
The therapist guides patients to establish the correct resting posture of the tongue, which should naturally rest against the palate just behind the front teeth. They also aim to ensure a proper lip seal, meaning the lips are closed at rest, promoting nasal breathing. Retraining these muscles helps restore natural muscle coordination across the face, mouth, and throat.
The Symptoms and Conditions They Treat
Myofunctional therapists treat a range of specific issues stemming from orofacial muscle dysfunction. One common condition is “tongue thrust,” where the tongue habitually pushes forward or sideways against or between the teeth during swallowing or rest. This improper pattern can exert pressure on the teeth, contributing to malocclusion, such as an open bite where the front teeth do not meet.
They also address persistent mouth breathing, particularly in children, which can negatively impact facial development and lead to poor oral health. Chronic mouth breathing often results from an improper lip seal and may indicate underlying airway issues. OMT is utilized to alleviate symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), such as jaw pain and chronic headaches, by improving muscle balance and reducing joint strain.
In infants and children, therapists treat issues like feeding difficulties and sucking habits, such as prolonged thumb or pacifier use, that interfere with correct oral development. Correcting these muscle patterns is important for individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment, as improper tongue posture is a frequent cause of relapse. The therapy helps stabilize the teeth and jaws by ensuring the facial muscles support the dental structure.
How Does Myofunctional Therapy Work?
Myofunctional therapy is a structured program that begins with a detailed assessment of the patient’s muscle strength, coordination, and existing abnormal habits. Based on this evaluation, the therapist designs a specific regimen of exercises aimed at strengthening weak muscles and retraining dysfunctional patterns.
The treatment relies on repetition to achieve permanent neurological change and muscle memory. Patients are required to perform personalized exercises multiple times throughout the day, usually in short, focused sessions. These exercises involve specific movements of the tongue, lips, and cheeks, designed to improve functions like proper tongue posture, nasal breathing, and a mature swallowing pattern.
Active treatment generally spans several months, with the duration depending on the patient’s age, compliance, and the complexity of the disorder. The exercises progress in difficulty, moving from basic muscle strengthening to integrating the new patterns into automatic daily functions. The goal is to make the correct oral posture and movement patterns unconscious and effortless.
When Should You Seek Treatment?
A consultation should be considered if there are signs of persistent oral habits or chronic functional issues. This is relevant if a child continues thumb-sucking or pacifier use past the age of three, if a person exhibits consistent mouth breathing, or if orthodontic work has repeatedly failed. Seeking treatment is also advisable if a dentist or orthodontist has noted a tongue thrust or an open bite.
Myofunctional therapy is typically part of an interdisciplinary team approach. Therapists frequently collaborate with professionals such as orthodontists, dentists, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physicians, and speech-language pathologists to ensure comprehensive care. If you experience unexplained facial pain, difficulty chewing, or TMD symptoms that have not responded to initial treatments, an evaluation can determine if muscle dysfunction is a contributing factor.
When selecting a therapist, look for professionals who have received specific training or certification in orofacial myology.