WHAT IS OROFACIAL MYOLOGY?

Orofacial myofunctional therapy (also called orofacial myology) is a series of tailored exercises designed to retrain the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue. It helps improve neuromuscular function to establish proper nasal breathing, lip seal, and tongue posture during rest, speech, chewing, and swallowing. By addressing individual patterns and needs, therapy can enhance breathing, sleep, digestion, and overall oral health while relieving tension and supporting proper craniofacial development.

WHAT DOES THERAPY LOOK LIKE?

  • A typical session lasts 20 to 60 minutes and is tailored to the patient’s specific needs. Sessions may include exercises to improve oral function, habit elimination, breathing, and sleep.

  • An additional 30-minute session for head, neck, and intraoral massage can be scheduled if needed to relieve tension and improve overall function.

  • Patients are given exercises to perform at home for two weeks between sessions to establish new muscle patterns and habits. However, if a patient is struggling with consistency or progress, weekly sessions may be recommended to provide additional support.

  • The standard length of therapy is approximately 12 to 18 weeks, but the duration may vary depending on the patient’s age and the severity of the issue.

  • If necessary, care may include pre- and post-operative support for surgical procedures.

  • Recommendations for additional care from other providers may be made as needed to support overall progress.

WHAT DOES OROFACIAL MYOLOGY ADDRESS?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THERAPY?

Just as physical therapy restores function and movement to the body, orofacial myology retrains the muscles of the face, neck, and mouth (as well as the brain) to eliminate incorrect muscle patterns (OMDs) that have developed over time.

In addition to muscle retraining, orofacial myology can improve breathing patterns by focusing on exercises that promote slow, nasal, diaphragmatic breathing. In some cases, intraoral massage may be incorporated to release muscle tension and support better function.

Muscle retraining, healthy breathing, and proper habits can aid in:

  • Young children's facial, airway, and dental development
  • Proper chewing, swallowing, and digestion
  • Preventing recurrent ear infections
  • Speech articulation
  • Healthier day- and night-time breathing
  • Improving quality of sleep
  • Increasing alertness
  • Orthodontic retention
  • Reducing TMD pain
  • Reducing snoring or sleep apnea

All of these benefits can boost self-esteem and improve overall health and quality of life.

SUCCESSFUL THERAPY

Success in therapy depends on consistent daily practice until proper muscle function is restored and maintained. It requires time, persistence, and commitment from both the patient and family members to achieve the best results.

Complete and optimal treatment often involves a multidisciplinary approach, with orofacial myology being just one piece of the puzzle. Collaboration with other healthcare professionals may be necessary to fully address underlying issues and support long-term success.

Do you have questions about orofacial myology or orofacial myofunctional disorders?

Contact Annie to learn more.