Myofunctional Therapy is a treatment that can be used to treat orofacial disorders. This therapy focuses on treating orofacial muscle disorders like tongue-tie and sleep apnea. Continue reading to learn more! Here are some benefits of Myofunctional Therapy. The treatment is gentle and may be suitable for children. The effectiveness of this therapy will vary from one case to the next.
Treatment of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
Orofacial myofunctional diseases (OMD) affect the function and appearance of the muscles in the mouth and face. These muscles can cause speech, swallowing, and posture problems if not correctly structured. Other causes may include allergies and obstructions in the nasal passages. Your pediatrician may recommend further evaluation by an ENT specialist. OMD treatment can improve your child’s oral health and swallowing ability and prevent future problems.
These conditions can be treated with non-invasive orofacial myofunctional therapy training. These therapies are relatively painless but require daily exercise and a commitment to follow through. Treatment for these disorders can last anywhere from six to twelve months. These therapies are worth the effort. Many people may not be capable of completing the entire treatment course due to the recovery process.
Children may begin showing signs of these disorders at an early age. Early intervention is crucial, as these disorders can aggravate or even lead to more severe problems later in life. Common orofacial myofunctional diseases include mouth breathing, poor oral rest posture, difficulty chewing, and low tone.It includes ENTs, dentists, bodywork specialists, and lactation consultants.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Training
Orofacial myofunctional therapy training conditions affect the muscles of your face. This can cause breathing problems, speech difficulties, and swallowing problems. Orofacial myofunctional disorders can affect children and adults’ speech, eating, and facial growth. If they are not treated, they can affect oral hygiene, stability, and appearance of the teeth. They can also cause difficulty swallowing, speaking, and chewing.
It is essential to treat your child with orofacial dysfunction as soon as possible. The treatment can help eliminate symptoms that can impact a child’s speech or chewing ability. These conditions can lead to disability and more severe health problems if not treated. If you suspect your child may have an orofacial myofunctional disorder, you should visit a dentist to determine the most effective course of treatment.
A trained provider of orofacial myofunctional therapy, Erin Ulman has served patients at Dr. Robin P. Steely’s office since September 2017. . Erin continued her education through continuing education courses in oral myofunctional therapy training. Erin enjoys helping patients achieve proper oral function and health.
Myofunctional Disorders
Myofunctional disorders refer to conditions that affect facial muscles and their development. If left untreated, these conditions can cause serious health problems, including altered facial and jaw development. These disorders can also affect the airway of children, which can cause allergies or enlarged tonsils. These cases require treatment to stop the condition from worsening and affecting your oral health.
Treatment for Tongue-Tie
Myofunctional therapy training is a treatment for tongue ties that has many benefits. It can improve speech clarity and quality of life. Myofunctional therapy is a form of physical therapy that helps strengthen the tongue and orofacial muscles. The therapy is usually a part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Myofunctional therapy can be used to treat tongue-tie and can even prevent future dental problems.
Initially, a tongue-tie patient will undergo surgery to remove the tied tongue. The wound is closed with stitches. The procedure also reduces the risk of scarring. However, the pain associated with the surgery may be more significant for younger children. The myofunctional therapist will discuss the exercises with you before the procedure. They will also monitor your progress to determine if they are working.
This retraining process will help the tongue move freely, avoiding pain or restrictions. The myofunctional therapist will give you special instructions on stretching the language before surgery. Once your treatment is completed, your tongue tie will no longer affect your ability to swallow.
Myofunctional Therapists
Myofunctional therapists have yet to be certified despite their effectiveness. Often, a myofunctional therapist will be a licensed dental hygienist or speech-language pathologist. This means that training in this field is not standardized and may not be accredited. However, some practitioners offer online training. In addition to this, some people even teach therapy online.
Although it may appear like a series, the actual process is more complex. Myofunctional therapy is a treatment for tongue-tie that involves exercises to ensure your tongue is correct. Proper language placement in the mouth ensures that your lips stay closed, your tongue is on the palate, and your breathing is correct. Correcting the position of your tongue can improve your speech and even improve your sleep.
Although this therapy is gaining popularity as a treatment for poor tongue posture in adults, there is no evidence that it can help prevent sleep apnea. Experts are concerned that the medicine could cause harm to patients with the condition. The risks are worth the benefits. Before you decide to try the treatment, consider all of the benefits. If it is a viable treatment for you, consider this therapy to treat tongue-tie.
Study of Myofunctional Therapy
The study’s authors did not have any competing interests with the companies that offer myofunctional therapy to treat tongue-tie. They have no other sources of income. They do, however, encourage education in the field of myofunctional medicine. The study was carried out without any external funding. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. In addition, they have no competing interests and are promoting education about this procedure.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea
Myofunctional therapy training is a physical therapy designed to correct or eliminate sleep apnea. It helps patients regain control of their breathing while they sleep, lowering their risk of developing sleep apnea. It can also help people with more severe cases, such as those suffering from obstructive or snoring sleep apnea. Myofunctional therapy is an effective treatment for some sleep apnea sufferers, even those who snore loudly.
The randomized controlled trial included 60 patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The index of apnea/hypopnea fell from 22.4 to 13.7 events an hour. Additionally, patients in the treatment group had thinner necks and fewer episodes. Myofunctional therapy may be an excellent option to treat sleep apnea, according to researchers.
The myofunctional therapist will evaluate the patient’s condition, tell about myofunctional therapy cost and design a tailored treatment plan. This plan could include mouth breathing, tongue touches, or mouth breathing exercises.
This therapy for sleep apnea is a non-invasive therapy that works by training the orofacial muscles. It should be done daily under the supervision of a licensed therapist. Myofunctional therapy should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan for sleep apnea to improve quality of life and overall health.
This type of therapy for sleep apnea is an alternative to CPAP. The treatment helps patients get better rest and improve their eating habits. The therapy also helps them improve their overall health and reduce the number of times they experience heavy snoring. Myofunctional therapy training is a safe and effective alternative to surgery and CPAP. These treatments are also very affordable.
Myofunctional therapy for sleep apnea has the advantage of helping patients to establish healthy sleeping habits and increase compliance with their CPAP treatment. It can help decrease the severity of sleep apnea, reduce snoring, and decrease daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, the therapy helps patients with sleep disorders to improve oral structure and breathing during sleep.
Last Words
Currently, Myofunctional therapy for sleep apnea is one of the latest treatments for the disorder. The treatment consists of daily exercises designed to strengthen the muscles of the oropharynx and improve the opening of the airway. The therapy uses the underlying mechanism of OSAHS. Because of this, patients must follow the exercise routine daily for at least three months.
Although the research shows that this treatment effectively reduces OSA, the lack of objective feedback may lead to low adherence. (2016) evaluated the effectiveness of myofunctional therapy in post-stroke patients. However, this method is not yet widely available and may require further testing and research.
