Orofacial Myology at Thriveable Therapies

Orofacial myology, also known as "oral/orofacial myofunctional therapy," "myofunctional therapy," or simply "myo," is an evidence-based treatment for orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs), which involve abnormal muscle function in the face, mouth, tongue, and throat. OMDs can impact speech, chewing, swallowing, breathing, dental alignment, and overall health. Therapy uses targeted exercises and stretches to improve the strength, coordination, and function of the tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw.

Therapy for All Ages

At Thriveable Therapies, our clinician is a qualified orofacial myologist, speech-language pathologist, and feeding therapist, with specialized training in infant feeding, oral motor development, and orofacial deep tissue release. This unique combination allows us to address speech and feeding difficulties associated with OMDs and provide individualized care for patients of all ages and abilities.

Traditional myofunctional therapy involves active exercises that require the ability to understand and follow directions, and is generally geared toward individuals aged 4 and older. At Thriveable Therapies, in addition to traditional myofunctional therapy, our specialized training also allows us provide oral motor therapy with adapted myofunctional principles to support babies, young children, and children with developmental delays who may not yet be ready for structured exercises.

We offer customized interventions for every age and ability:

Infant Feeding and Frenectomy Support (Ages birth to 1 year)

Infant feeding therapy, including gentle clinician- and caregiver- led oral motor stretches and exercises, suck training, feeding techniques, oral myofascial release, and pre- and post-frenectomy support to improve latch, oral function, nasal breathing, and early feeding skills.

Early Intervention Myo & Motor (Ages 1 to 4 years)

A play-based introduction to myofunctional therapy that blends passive oral motor techniques with developmentally appropriate active exercises. Therapy supports healthy orofacial development, nasal breathing, tongue posture, speech, feeding, and elimination of oral habits such as pacifier use and thumb sucking.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (Ages 4 years and older)

A structured orofacial myofunctional therapy program for individuals seeking to improve oral rest posture, nasal breathing, tongue positioning, lip function, and swallowing patterns. Therapy incorporates individualized exercises, functional retraining, and personalized home practice to support lasting improvements across all ages.

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Signs & Symptoms of Oral Myofunctional Disorders

Feeding & Oral Motor Difficulties
Difficulty chewing/swallowing, picky eating, drooling, food pocketing
Speech Disorders & Oral Habits
Speech errors, mumbling, tongue thrust, thumb sucking
Orofacial Growth & Structure Deficits
Low resting tongue posture, tethered oral tissues, high/narrow palate, teeth crowding, bruxism (teeth grinding), jaw/face growth issues, enlarged tonsils/adenoids, TMJ disorder
Breathing & Sleep Disorders
Mouth breathing, snoring, poor sleep, reduced oxygen to brain
Cognitive/Behavioral Deficits (Result of reduced oxygen intake)
Difficulties with learning, cognitive skills, attention, behavior

Tongue Thrust

Mouth Breathing

Tongue Tie

Dental, Palate, and Jaw Issues

Our Collaborative Approach

At Thriveable Therapies, we believe in collaborative, patient-centered care. Orofacial myofunctional therapy can support oral function, muscle coordination, and healthy patterns, but structural, airway, or medical concerns may require additional evaluation. We often work alongside other healthcare professionals and may recommend referrals when appropriate, while continuing to address each patient’s individual myofunctional needs.

Some concerns that may require an outside referral include:

Tongue or Lip Tie: Significant structural restrictions may affect tongue mobility and oral function. Referral for further evaluation may be recommended when appropriate.
High, Narrow Palate & Dental Development: A high or vaulted palate, dental crowding, and jaw development concerns may affect tongue posture and available oral space and may benefit from orthodontic evaluation.
Airway & Nasal Breathing Concerns: Nasal obstruction, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, and allergies may require evaluation by an ENT or allergist.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Pauses in breathing or restless sleep may warrant evaluation by a sleep specialist, ENT, or referral for a sleep study.
Airway-Focused Dental Evaluation: Dental and palatal concerns may benefit from assessment by a qualified airway-focused dentist.

FAQ

Do you work with adults too?

While we primarily work with kids, yes, we do also offer orofacial myofunctional therapy for adults.

How many sessions are typically needed?

Traditional myofunctional therapy typically includes 3 to 6 months of weekly sessions, paired with consistent daily home practice to create lasting change. The number of sessions needed depends on the severity of the orofacial myofunctional disorder, how consisteny home practice is, as well as whether feeding or speech concerns are also present. When feeding or speech challenges are involved, a longer course of therapy may be necessary.

Session lengths range from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on factors such as the complexity of the concerns, the presence of speech or feeding difficulties, and the client’s attention, engagement, and cooperation during sessions.

Can therapy be helpful in conjunction with procedures like orthodontic work, tongue tie release, or tonsil/adenoid removal?

Yes! Myofunctional therapy plays a vital role both before and after these procedures to ensure the best and most lasting results:

Orthodontic Work: Research shows that without myofunctional therapy, there is a higher risk of orthodontic relapse because persistent oral muscle habits and tongue posture can push teeth out of alignment. Therapy helps retrain these muscles to support and maintain the new dental position.
Tongue Tie Release: Before and after surgery, therapy is essential to prepare the tongue, help with healing, and retrain tongue movement and teach new functions the tongue couldn’t perform before, such as moving food to the sides for chewing, licking lips and gums to clear food, and creating suction on the roof of the mouth for proper swallowing. Without therapy, old restrictive patterns may return, limiting the benefits of the release.
Tonsil and Adenoid Removal: Enlarged tonsils or adenoids often cause chronic mouth breathing and low tongue posture due to blocked nasal passageways. After removal, nasal breathing becomes possible but may feel unfamiliar. Without therapy, mouth breathing may persist, leading to throat irritation, reduced oxygen to the brain, and ongoing sleep-disordered breathing. Therapy helps retrain proper nasal breathing and oral posture for lasting improvement.

Combining surgery or orthodontic treatment with myofunctional therapy addresses both structural and functional issues, leading to more effective and durable outcomes.

What is the weekly home practice like?

Home practice is the foundation of successful myofunctional therapy. Each week, clients are expected to regularly complete the exercises introduced during their sessios, usually 3 times daily for ~5 minutes per practice, to ensure steady progress. Along with these exercises, practicing correct oral rest posture and nasal breathing for longer periods throughout the day plays a significant role in the therapy’s effectiveness.

Additional tools or devices may sometimes be recommended to support your practice at home. Following the home program consistently is essential; without this commitment, progress will likely be limited, and advancing to new exercises won’t be possible.

Consistent home practice is what makes lasting, meaningful improvements possible in myofunctional therapy.

Will I need to purchase any tools or supplies to support therapy?

When you commit to a myofunctional therapy program with Thriveable Therapies, you’ll receive all the essential tools needed for home practice. This includes a hard copy manual of weekly exercises, a daily practice log, and therapeutic tools like tongue depressors, button pulls, and orthodontic elastics.

While your therapist may recommend additional devices or products to further support your progress, therapy can usually still be effective without them. Our goal is to ensure you have everything necessary to succeed at every step.

Why choose myofunctional therapy with a speech therapist?

Orofacial myofunctional therapy can be offered by various professionals, including dentists, orthodontists, dental hygienists, and myofunctional therapists with specialized training. However, speech-language pathologists (speech therapists) are uniquely qualified to provide the most comprehensive care.

Speech therapists are the only professionals trained to assess and treat the full range of related skills—speech, feeding, swallowing, and oral motor function. Because these areas are deeply interconnected, having a therapist who understands all aspects ensures that therapy addresses the whole picture, leading to better and longer-lasting outcomes.

Choosing a speech therapist means you’re working with someone who can tailor therapy to your specific needs, monitor progress across multiple functions, and coordinate care with other specialists when necessary.

Can myofunctional therapy be conducted virtually?

Yes! We offer both in-office and virtual therapy options. While we prefer to conduct the initial evaluation in person to get the most thorough assessment, the evaluation and weekly myofunctional therapy sessions can be conveniently done virtually through the Zoom platform. This allows for flexible, ongoing support from the comfort of your home.

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