Empower Your Speech, Transform Your Life
Unlock the Power of Myofunctional Therapy
Discover how our specialized therapy can enhance speech, breathing, and overall oral health for children and adults alike.
Understanding Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy is a specialized treatment focusing on increasing the strength and coordination of the muscles of the orofacial complex, including the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue.
In the words of Linda D’Onofrio (an SLP who is a pioneer in the field of myofunctional therapy), the lips are the mouth’s natural braces, and the tongue is the mouth’s natural palate expander. The ideal oral resting posture includes tongue tip resting at what myofunctional therapists call “the spot” (medically known as the incisive papillae or alveolar ridge) while the body of the tongue is lightly suctioned to the roof of the mouth, with lips closed and cheeks engaged, providing negative pressure to support tongue placement. This allows the jaw to grow forward and to widen naturally, preventing narrow palates, poor cheekbone development, and small lower jaw development. While the aesthetic component is nice, the importance of myofunctional therapy is greater than looking good – this kind of facial growth allows the airway to develop adequate space! This knowledge can change the trajectory of a child’s airway and dental development. It can improve sleep quality by reducing number of sleep disordered breathing episodes, and can prevent the need for orthodontic intervention in teenage years, jaw surgery in adulthood, and reduce the need for CPAP due to sleep apnea.
This therapy can be lifechanging for individuals who struggle with nasal breathing or who habitually mouth breath, “messy” eaters (including those who struggle to use straws or chew food thoroughly), history of tongue/lip tie, individuals born with small lower jaws or narrow palates due to genetics or positioning in utero, history of braces/palatal expansion, and who struggle with sleep disordered breathing. In combination with traditional speech therapy, this is a highly effective modality to improve speech clarity and intelligibility. If your child has been in traditional speech therapy for years with minimal improvement, myofunctional therapy may be the missing piece.
At Independence Therapy LLC, we believe in the transformative power of myofunctional therapy. We use a combination of breathing exercises, oral motor exercises, feeding therapy techniques, full body movements, and traditional speech therapy as appropriate to address each patient’s individual goals. By addressing the root cause, we help children and adults achieve better and longer lasting outcomes for speech, breathing, feeding, and oral rest posture. This leads to improved confidence in speech, healthy airway and jaw development, and more adventurous eating! We are passionate about providing quality care for each patient who walks through our door, and we can’t wait to help you meet your myofunctional goals.
Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy
Improved Speech Clarity
Enhanced Breathing Patterns
Better Oral Habits
Increased Confidence
Support for Orthodontic Treatment
Reduction in Snoring
Improved Swallowing Function
Facilitation of Proper Tongue Posture
Enhanced Facial Muscle Tone
Support for Sleep Apnea Management
Improved Dental Health
Reduction in Mouth Breathing
Support for Speech Development
Facilitation of Lip Closure
Overall Oral Health Improvement
Discover the Process
Myofunctional Therapy Steps
1
Initial Assessment
Our journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand your unique needs and goals. Our SLPs will look at speech and language, breathing, and feeding at the initial evaluation.
2
Customized Therapy Plan
We create a personalized therapy plan tailored to improve your speech, feeding, and breathing. We work closely with other care providers such as orthodontics or ENT as needed for each patient.
3
Ongoing Support
We provide continued care throughout your therapy journey. Once all your goals have been met, you will be discharged from therapy and are welcome to reach out if you have further concerns down the road.
Common Questions Answered
Explore answers to the most frequently asked questions about myofunctional therapy.
What is myofunctional therapy?
Myofunctional therapy involves exercises to improve the function of oral and facial muscles, enhancing speech, feeding, and breathing.
Who can benefit from this therapy?
Typically children age 4+ and adults experiencing speech difficulties, swallowing issues, tongue tie, and mouth breathing can benefit from myofunctional therapy. Younger children can be eligible for myofunctional therapy if they are able to participate in active movement exercises. Some children may benefit more from oral motor therapy, which involves eliciting reflexive movements rather than volitional movements.
How long does therapy take?
The duration varies per individual, but most see significant improvements within a few months. With consistent adherence to the home exercise program, many patients make it through therapy in 6 months.
Is myofunctional therapy covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your insurance plan. We recommend checking with your provider for specific details. We have had success with BCBS and Tricare West covering our services.
What results can I expect?
Patients report better sleep, better body regulation, improved speech clarity, better oral posture, and enhanced breathing patterns.
How do I get started?
Contact us to schedule an initial assessment and begin your journey towards improved speech and function.
Discover the Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy
Unlock the potential of improved speech and breathing with our specialized myofunctional therapy. Whether for your child or yourself, our expert team at Independence Therapy LLC is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a personalized consultation.
