Retraining the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and face.
Myofunctional therapy is a gentle, structured series of guided exercises designed to restore natural oral resting posture, promote continuous nasal breathing, and re-establish balanced swallowing patterns.
This is orofacial myofunctional therapy — a neuromuscular re-education approach focused on the muscles and habitual patterns of the mouth and face. It is distinct from massage therapy and musculoskeletal myotherapy, which address soft-tissue and joint concerns elsewhere in the body.
Four fundamental areas of oral function
When oral resting posture is altered—whether by prolonged pacifier use, tongue restriction, airway obstruction, or chronic mouth breathing—facial muscles adapt to compensate. Therapy focuses on restoring four interconnected biological baselines:
1. Dedicated Nasal Breathing
The nose is biologically designed for respiration. Breathing through the nasal passages humidifies, warms, and cleans incoming air, and encourages optimal oxygen delivery. Therapy supports building the muscular endurance and habit awareness required for day and night nasal breathing.
2. Effortless Lip Seal at Rest
At rest, the lips should lightly touch without visible strain or puckering of the chin muscle (mentalis). Maintaining a comfortable lip closure protects delicate oral gums, reduces mouth dryness, and provides an external boundary that supports teeth alignment.
3. Full Palatal Tongue Resting Posture
The tongue is one of the strongest muscle groups relative to its size. Its natural resting home is fully suctioned against the roof of the mouth, not resting in the floor of the mouth or pressing against the front teeth. Proper posture naturally widens the palate and supports airway stability.
4. Correct Swallowing Mechanics
Humans swallow hundreds of times daily. An atypical swallow or "tongue thrust" exerts forward force on the teeth with every swallow. Myofunctional therapy retrains the tongue to push upward and backward against the hard palate, eliminating unwanted compensatory facial tension.
Topics visitors often bring to our practice
Every body develops unique functional habits. While symptoms do not constitute a self-diagnosis, the following patterns are common reasons individuals and families seek a professional evaluation with Allison:
Chronic Mouth Breathing
Waking with a dry mouth, audible daytime breathing, or resting with lips parted while watching television or reading.
Prolonged Oral Habits
Thumb or finger sucking, extended pacifier use, nail biting, or cheek sucking that alters dental and tongue resting relationships.
Tongue Restriction (Ankyloglossia)
Pre- or post-frenectomy therapy to prepare tongue tissue for mobility and re-educate movement patterns following release.
Orthodontic Preparation & Relapse
Teeth shifting after braces, open bites, or persistent tongue thrusting that works against orthodontic stabilization.
Jaw Tension & Fatigue
Facial tightness, clenching habits, or fatigue when chewing denser foods due to overworking accessory facial muscles.
Restless Sleep & Snoring Inquiries
Exploring whether oral posture and daytime breathing mechanics play a contributing role alongside medical evaluations.
Evaluation, planning, and home practice
Therapy is structured as a progressive partnership between practitioner and client.
60–90 Minute Deep Dive
We review health history, evaluate oral resting postures, photograph baseline positions, measure tongue mobility, and observe chewing and swallowing patterns.
Individualized Exercise Modules
Ongoing sessions are typically scheduled every 2–3 weeks and last 20–30 minutes each. Each session builds gently upon previous exercises, ensuring correct technique and preventing strain.
Twice-Daily Practice
Clients are expected to practice their exercises twice daily. A session usually includes around five exercises, with most exercises taking approximately 1–2 minutes each. Allison provides clear visual guides and support tools to make daily practice manageable within a family's normal routine.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
When structural or anatomical restrictions require medical or dental care—such as enlarged tonsils, nasal airway obstructions, tongue ties, or complex malocclusion—Allison actively coordinates or refers to dentists, orthodontists, pediatricians, and osteopaths.
Interested in complementary ear acupressure?
Ear seeds (auriculotherapy) are available as an independent needle-free service and may also be discussed alongside your myofunctional therapy program where appropriate to support relaxation, nervous system calm, and body balance.
Ready to explore myofunctional therapy?
Book your initial evaluation directly through our online schedule, or get in touch if you have specific questions about starting care.