What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Our bodies are tremendously complex organisms, with many components working together to perform thousands of functions all the time. Understandably, as with any great machine, when a vital cog is malfunctioning the entire unit is negatively affected.
Although it may seem that swallowing is a simple muscle movement, it is in fact executed through many various muscles and nerves from different areas all working together. If done properly, the tongue, working together with other muscles presses firmly against the hard palate during the swallow. Obviously a tongue that is not functioning properly will be challenged to perform the 500-1000 swallows that we do every day. Surprisingly though the tongue can do even more damage while at rest if it is not held properly.
Myofunctional therpay “is a program used to correct the improper function of the tongue and facial muscles used at rest, for chewing and for swallowing”.
(Moeller, 2008)
Although it may seem that swallowing is a simple muscle movement, it is in fact executed through many various muscles and nerves from different areas all working together. If done properly, the tongue, working together with other muscles presses firmly against the hard palate during the swallow. Obviously a tongue that is not functioning properly will be challenged to perform the 500-1000 swallows that we do every day. Surprisingly though the tongue can do even more damage while at rest if it is not held properly.
Myofunctional therpay “is a program used to correct the improper function of the tongue and facial muscles used at rest, for chewing and for swallowing”.
(Moeller, 2008)
Who would benefit with Myofunctional therapy?
Someone who has Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD).When one has an OMD, then their tongue moves forward exaggeratedly during speech swallowing and/or speech. This can cause the tongue to lie too far forward during rest or it may protrude between their teeth during speech and swallowing, and even at rest.
(Asha,2013)
(Asha,2013)
Multidisciplinary team
Myofunctional therapy includes a multidisciplinary team. Members can be general/pediatric dentists, allergist speech pathologist, otolaryngologist, oral & maxillofacial surgeon, periodontist, general physician, orthodontist certified orofacial myologist, patient, and parents/family.
(White, 2010)
(White, 2010)
What does Myofunctional Therapy include?
-Elimination of damaging oral habits (digit sucking, nail biting, etc.).
-Reduction of unnecessary tension and pressure in the muscles of the face and mouth.
-Strengthening of muscles that do not adequately support normal function.
-Development of normal resting postures of the tongue, jaw, and facial muscles.
-Establishment of normal biting, chewing, and swallowing patterns.
(Grider, 2013)
SWALLOWING THERAPY MAY INCLUDE:
-Educate patient of appropriate chewing patterns
-Practice gathering food into a bolus.
-Increase awareness of the masseter/“chewing muscles”
-Clenching, tension, biting to “pop” the muscle
-Teach correct placement of tongue for swallowing
-Sequential positioning of the tip, mid-portion, and back of the tongue
(White,2010)
-Reduction of unnecessary tension and pressure in the muscles of the face and mouth.
-Strengthening of muscles that do not adequately support normal function.
-Development of normal resting postures of the tongue, jaw, and facial muscles.
-Establishment of normal biting, chewing, and swallowing patterns.
(Grider, 2013)
SWALLOWING THERAPY MAY INCLUDE:
-Educate patient of appropriate chewing patterns
-Practice gathering food into a bolus.
-Increase awareness of the masseter/“chewing muscles”
-Clenching, tension, biting to “pop” the muscle
-Teach correct placement of tongue for swallowing
-Sequential positioning of the tip, mid-portion, and back of the tongue
(White,2010)
Myofunctional Therapy Exercises
Some Myofunctional therapy exercises can be:
1. Button Pull
2. Lip Stretches
3. Tongue Pops
4. Tongue Pushups
5. Shoulder Rolls
6. Slurp and Swallow
This video will explain and show how each exercise works.
1. Button Pull
2. Lip Stretches
3. Tongue Pops
4. Tongue Pushups
5. Shoulder Rolls
6. Slurp and Swallow
This video will explain and show how each exercise works.
How effective is Myofunctional therapy? Case study by Joy Muller
![Picture](/uploads/1/9/6/5/19656439/8056339.jpg)
Dr. Joy Muller provides a case study for the effectiveness of orofacial myofuncional therapy. This was about a seven year old male with many oral habits including tongue sucking, mouth breathing, lip licking, tongue thrusting and asymetrical facial muscle patterns among other things. These were causing problems with speech coherency and his tongue was impeding teeth eruption.
Dr. Muller worked along with his dentist and Osteopathic Physician, and after 4 months of treatment, a delay for a year and another 4 months treatment was completed. His oral habits are gone his teeth were able to erupt, his swallowing pattern and resting mouth posture has normalized, speech has improved, his facial muscle asymmetry has normalized, and his overall co-ordination has greatly improved. Dr. Joy's rationale is that eliminating concurrent noxious habits, introducing nasal breathing and neuro-muscular changes at a habitual level, establishing a normal chewing and swallowing patterns, and improving tonicity of the orofacial musculatures have helped aid in proper growth and development.
(Moeller, 2008)
Age to begin therapy
Therapy can begin as early as five years old in some cases while in other cases therapy does not begin until the child is eight or nine years of age. A five year old will be medically evaluated if there is airway interference as well as given digit sucking digit sucking therapy to eliminate sucking habits.
Not all tongue thrusts will require treatment or therapy. A myofunctional orofacial therapist will help the client determine whether he or she will need therapy. When there are no speech or dental issues than therapy will usually not be recommended. Although a myofunctional therapist does not necessarily need to be an SLP, it can be helpful in order to help correct any given speech problems that may have developed due to orofacial myofunctional disorders.
(IOAM, 2012)
Not all tongue thrusts will require treatment or therapy. A myofunctional orofacial therapist will help the client determine whether he or she will need therapy. When there are no speech or dental issues than therapy will usually not be recommended. Although a myofunctional therapist does not necessarily need to be an SLP, it can be helpful in order to help correct any given speech problems that may have developed due to orofacial myofunctional disorders.
(IOAM, 2012)
Length and timing of therapy
Therapy is usually given on a short term basis with the client practicing exercises at home for 5-10 minutes a day. However, therapy plans are individualized so it is impossible to say exactly what the therapy duration will be until it is created for the client.
(Grider, 2013)
(Grider, 2013)