Myofunctional Therapy Annette Hulse, DO 9-18-2016 www.SantaCruzOsteopathy.com/Slides
Osteopathic Principles Function and structure are reciprocally inter-related
Nose & nasopharynx: breathing
Mouth & oropharynx: eating
Laryngopharynx: Speaking + coordinating
Functions of the Face Mouth & Pharynx Suck/Swallow Breathe Chew/Swallow Speech
Infant (Visceral) Swallow Jaws apart Tongue between gum pads Mandible stabilized by facial muscles (CN VII) & tongue Vigorous lip/cheek contractions Swallow guided/controlled lips and tongue
Mature Swallow Teeth together Mandible stabilized by muscles of mastication (CN V) Tongue tip up on palate NO lip contractions Usually by 18-24 months
How Do We Treat the Function?
Buteyko Breathing
Breathing Wind instruments (e.g. Didgeridoo) Singing (esp. choral)
Tongue
Myofunctional Exercises Tongue exercises include: Move tongue along the superior and lateral surfaces of teeth Position the tongue tip up on hard palate (“the spot”) Suck up entire tongue against palate (“caves”) Force tongue onto floor of mouth
Facial Muscles
Myofunctional Exercises Facial exercises Lip (contraction and relaxation of the orbicularis oris) Buccinators (suction and expand) Jaw muscles (lateral jaw movements)
Myofunctional Exercises Stomatognathic functions (swallowing and chewing exercises) swallowing with teeth together & tongue positioned in palate alternating chewing sides
When Should You Refer?
Tongue Tie
Mouth Breathing
Sleep Apnea
Systematic Review in 2015 Myofunctional therapy decreases AHI by ~50% in adults and 62% in children Camacho M, Certal V, Abdullatif J, et al. Myofunctional Therapy to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sleep. 2015;38(5):669-675. doi:10.5665/sleep.4652. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4402674/
Thumb/Finger Sucking
Thumb/Finger Sucking
Thumb/Finger Sucking
Abnormal Tongue Postures
How Do You Find a Myofunctional Therapist?
Aomtinfo.org
Online Resources www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdDsMCvDN5Q