Proper oral rest posture

WHAT IS OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERPAY 

The practice of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy involves utilizing individualized exercise programs, with a specific focus on the health of the upper airway complex, to help the patient neurologically re-educate and re-pattern maladaptive muscle function to create and maintain a healthy orofacial-oropharyngeal environment. It is important that a patient is comprehensively evaluated, so individualized programs can be created to meet that patients’ specific symptoms, and or concerns.

THE GOALS OF THERAPY 

With the customized programs created for our patients, we strive to:

Eliminate Harmful Oral Habits

Provide Pre-Op and Post-OP Frenectomy Care 

Restore Upper Body Posture

Restore the Oral Rest Posture 

Establish Nasal-Diaphragmic, with each breath, Day and Night

Eliminate Improper Chewing and Swallowing Patterns

Provide Oral Placement for Functional Speech

Stabilize of the Dentition and TMJ joint 

Maintain of Muscle Tonus of the Upper Airway Complex. 

When underlying behaviors and habits are identified and properly corrected, and when therapy goals are met, the patient’s troublesome symptoms start to disappear, and adjunct treatment plans such as orthodontics, speech therapy, TMJ treatment, and  resolution of Sleep Disorders are easier to treat, will be more successful, and less likely to relapse.

OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY PROGRMAS 

Our practice offers a variety of myofunctional therapy programs ranging in price and duration. These programs are always combined with nasal hygiene, breathing re-education, sleep hygiene, as well as myofacial release techniques, all of which are tailored specifically to the patient's needs. During therapy, patients work through a carefully structured program, with each session progressively building on the one before it. 

Our therapy programs start by building a stronger muscular foundation by rehabilitating individual muscles, and their use. If recommended, tongue tie restrictions, revision, and wound management is addressed during the first phase of therapy. The second phase of therapy addresses coordinated movement of a group of muscles, such as proper chewing, swallowing, and oral placement for functional speech. The last phase of therapy focuses on habituation, and integration of newly learned skills into one’s lifestyle. This phase is most often the hardest, as we will routinely monitor patient success for any potential relapse. As the patient reenters their native environment, it is easy for old muscle patterns, and habits to resurface that can potential hinder success. 

All our programs include 12-15 therapy sessions, and 4 well checks and usually last six to eight months. More complex cases often require a longer-term approach. In these cases, a therapist may ask for a one-year commitment and recommend a therapy program that includes 18 to 24 sessions. Appointments are held in-office or online via teleHealth. The patient will meet with a therapist for 45-minute sessions that are reappointed every one to three weeks, depending on the patients’ goals and needs. Goal checks, as well as proficiency exams require more time. These sessions are scheduled for a 1-hour block. The daily time commitment for exercising is simple. 

Here's the skinny- If you can commit to five to ten minutes, twice a day, for the duration of the program recommended, you will see a transformation.

 WHAT IS BUTEYKO BREAHTING 

Named after Russian physician, Dr. Konstantin Buteyko, The Buteyko Method was first introduced during the early 1990’s. Early on, this method was popular with adults suffering from high blood pressure, as well as children and adults suffering from asthma. Today, we know the application of the Buteyko Method is now helping hundreds of thousands of people resolve and relieve symptoms of dysfunctional breathing such as rhinitis, hay fever, COPD, anxiety, stress, mouth breathing, snoring, and different levels of sleep disordered breathing. Success can be accompanied by additional health benefits such as easier weight loss, greater energy levels, and restorative sleep. 

The simple fact is that many people breathe too much or are in a constant state of hyperventilation. The most common form of hyperventilation is mouth breathing.  This chronic condition stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and can alter the natural levels of gases in the blood; thus, leading to numerous health problems. While breathing is an involuntary activity, it is subject to change by the stresses of everyday life, processed foods, sedentary lifestyle, excessive talking, and other environmental factors. When the body is exposed to these perpetuating factors for extended periods of time, dysfunctional breathing patterns can be seen.  If not properly addressed, the brain will adjust to the lower concentration of CO2 in the lungs, and consequently, the body will then continuously demand larger volume of breathing, resulting in compromised immune and nervous systems.

The Buteyko Method is simple. It has been designed to improve one's breathing mechanics, the rate of respiration, and the volume of breath that is consumed. When applied correctly, one feeds the body optimal levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitric oxide. The presence of these three molecules drive vital metabolic processes that can heal the body and mind organically. Our course focuses on patient education, behavior modification, and daily exercises to to specifically reduce over-breathing, and restore health.

THE GOALS OF THERAPY

Instant community for accountability and support 

Decongesting the nose naturally 

Increasing nasal patency

Relaxation, and utilization of the diaphragm to drive respiration

Habituate nasal breathing, with each breath, day and night

Change the chemistry of ones breath for better ventilation and gas exchange 

Increase the volume of the breath at a lower rate

Increase the threshold levels of carbon dioxide in the blood stream 

Adoption of small lifestyle changes for long-term success 

Heal the body and mind from the inside out