Myofunctional Therapy

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy is a program of specific exercises that target the facial muscles used to chew and swallow.

The oropharynx is the part of the body that includes the mouth and throat. In simple terms, it is a tube lined by muscular tissues. These muscles help us to chew, swallow, articulate speech, and breathe. They also help to keep the upper airway open, especially during sleep. When the muscles of the oropharynx are weak, they may interrupt the flow of air, causing snoring. If the tube collapses altogether, the airway becomes completely blocked, such as happens during SDB or OSA. In particular, a weak and floppy tongue may fall back into the throat and create an obstruction.

Myofunctional therapy includes exercises that are meant to improve the strength and tone of the muscles within the oropharynx, including the tongue. In addition, it helps to reinforce the proper position of the tongue within the mouth.

Some sleep specialists use myofunctional therapy to improve breathing problems during sleep, especially in children in whom tonsillectomies have been done but they still have obstruction. This therapy is also used by dentists and orthodontists concerned about the movement of teeth that occurs when the tongue pushes against teeth.

Myofunctional therapy may be an alternative treatment for sleep apnea. It is non-invasive, inexpensive, and has no major risks. While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the gold standard for treating moderate or severe sleep apnea, myofunctional therapy has been shown to decrease the number of obstructions per hour by almost half, and improve snoring and daytime sleepiness. In addition, the therapy has been used in other conditions. It may benefit those who suffer from a variety of ailments, including:

  • Headaches
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain
  • Neck pain
  • Thumb sucking
  • Rather than turning to the use of medications that may have side effects, myofunctional therapy relies on exercises that have few risks and may be quite beneficial.

Who can do Myofunctional Exercises?

The exercises used in myofunctional therapy may be employed in children who are 6 years and older. They also may be helpful in adults. The therapy can be done at home and elsewhere (but some of the exercises may attract undesirable attention!). You may wish to speak with your doctor about the appropriateness of using the exercisesbefore beginning,  as they may be difficult for people who have a short frenulum (the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth). If there is a short frenulum, this can often be easily corrected in the physician’s or dentist’s office.

Before you decide to start myofunctional therapy, keep in mind:

  • Each exercise should be repeated 10 times and done at least 4 times per day.
  • In total, 45 minutes per day should be devoted to the therapy.
  • Exercises should be performed daily for at least 2 years to have maximum benefit

These exercises have been evaluated at the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic. The exercise regimen includes:

Exercise 1: Push Up the Tongue

Place the tip of the tongue against the hard palate on the roof of the mouth, just behind the top teeth, and push upwards and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

Exercise 2: Touch Nose

Stick out your tongue and try to touch the tip of your nose and hold for 10 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times.

Exercise 3: Touch Chin

Stick out your tongue and try to lick the bottom of your chin and hold for 10 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times.

Exercise 4: Push Tongue Left

Stick out your tongue and move it as far as you can to the left and hold for 10 seconds, then relax. For added tone, use the tongue to push against a spoon. Repeat 10 times.

Exercise 5: Push Tongue Right

Stick out your tongue and move it as far as you can to the right and hold for 10 seconds, then relax. For added tone, use the tongue to push against a spoon. Repeat 10 times.

Exercise 6: Roll Tongue

This exercise typically is either easy or impossible, and interestingly seems to be familial. If you can do this, then it is likely either your mother and / or father can also do it. Roll your tongue by folding the edges toward the middle lengthwise, so it looks like the end of a taco shell. Stick it out as far as you can while keeping it folded and hold for 10 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times.

Exercise 7: Click the Tongue

Make a loud clicking sound with the tongue against the roof of the mouth. Click the tongue for 15 seconds and then repeat 10 times.

Exercise 8: Push the Tongue Against a Spoon

Push the tip of your tongue firmly against a spoon held in front of your lips for 10 seconds. Keep the tongue straight and don’t let it point downwards. Repeat 10 times.

Exercise 9: Hold a Spoon

Place the handle of a metal spoon between your lips and hold it in place with only your lips for 10 seconds. Do not place the handle between your teeth. Try to keep it parallel to the floor. As your strength improves, you can place other small objects on the spoon for added weight (i.e., sugar cube), though a metal spoon usually has enough weight on its own. Repeat 10 times.

Exercise 10: Hold a Button

For children and adults who are not at risk of swallowing a button, tie one to a piece of string at least 10 cm in length. Place the button between the teeth and lips. Purse your lips tightly and pull out on the string, not letting it to slip out. Pull for 10 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times. For added difficulty, place the button flat between the lips and press the lips to tight to keep the button in place while you pull.

You can begin treatment at home without any additional guidance. However, if you are interested in learning more about myofunctional therapy, you can start by speaking with your primary care doctor who may refer you to a ENT physician, dentist, orthodontist, sleep centre, or physical therapist, depending on your individual needs. This professional assessment will also be important to ensure that you are getting the benefits that you intend.

Sources:

Chauvois, Alain et al. “Rééducation des fonctions dans la thérapeutique orthodontiste (Rehabilitation functions in orthodontic therapy).” April 1, 1991.

Moeller, Joy. “What Is Myofunctional Therapy?” 2008. Accessed: June 2016.

Guimaraes, KC et al. “Effects of Oropharyngeal Exercises on Patients with Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.” Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol 179. pp 962–966, 2009. Accessed: June 2016

“Myofunctional Therapy.” June 15, 2012. Accessed: June 2016.

Peters, Brandon. “Myofunctional therapy to improve sleep apnea.” 2016. Accessed: June 2016.