What is Myofunctional Therapy — and Who Is It For?
If you’ve landed here wondering what myofunctional therapy is, you’re not alone. It’s a mouthful (literally and figuratively), and yet it can make a profound difference in your breathing, sleep, facial development, and oral health.
Let’s break it down.
So, What Is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is a gentle, non-invasive program that retrains the muscles of your face, mouth, and neck to function the way they were meant to. The word “myo” means muscle, so in simple terms, myofunctional therapy is muscle training — specifically for the muscles involved in breathing, speaking, chewing, swallowing, and resting posture.
We focus on four key goals:
Nasal breathing (instead of mouth breathing)
Proper tongue posture (resting on the roof of the mouth)
Lips closed at rest
Correct swallowing pattern
When these functions are out of balance — due to things like mouth breathing, tongue ties, thumb sucking, allergies, or chronic congestion — it can lead to a variety of health concerns that often go unaddressed for years.
What Does a Myofunctional Therapy Program Look Like?
Myofunctional therapy typically involves:
A customized plan of short daily exercises (5–10 minutes, 2–3 times per day)
Education on proper breathing and oral posture
Collaboration with your other care providers (like orthodontists, ENTs, or bodyworkers)
Most clients see noticeable improvements in just a few weeks — and long-term benefits when they stick with it.
Who is Myofunctional Therapy Best For?
You don’t have to have a tongue tie or braces to benefit from myofunctional therapy. This work supports a wide range of people — including many who had no idea that their symptoms were tied to muscle function in the mouth and face.
Infants & Children
Struggling with breastfeeding
Diagnosed with tongue or lip ties
Frequent ear infections or sinus issues
Speech delays or articulation concerns
Open bite, tongue thrust, or mouth breathing
ADHD-like symptoms related to poor sleep or oxygenation
Teens & Adults
Snoring or diagnosed sleep apnea
Chronic mouth breathing
TMJ dysfunction or facial pain
Orthodontic relapse (teeth shifting after braces)
Headaches or neck tension
Ongoing issues with focus, fatigue, or poor-quality sleep
In short: if something feels "off" with your breathing, sleep, jaw, or oral development — this is your sign to explore a new path.
Why It Matters
Your mouth is the gateway to your airway. When muscles in the face, mouth, and neck are out of balance, it can affect how you breathe, how you sleep, how your face develops, and even how your nervous system functions. Myofunctional therapy addresses the root of these issues instead of just patching symptoms.
Is It Right for You?
Whether you're a parent trying to understand your child’s sleep or feeding issues, or an adult who's tired of clenching, snoring, or waking up exhausted — myofunctional therapy may be the missing piece you’ve been looking for.
Schedule a free 30-minute consult to learn more. No pressure, just a friendly chat to see if Myo could be the right fit for you or your child.
