Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD’s) can include one or a combination of the following?

 Irregular breathing which can lead to anxiety.

Thumb and finger sucking habits.

An open mouth posture when at rest and/or sleeping.

A forward resting posture of the tongue between or against the teeth.

Tongue Thrust, incorrect chewing function.

Speech errors or distortion.

Overcrowding.

High palate.

How do OMD’s occur?

Most of the time OMD’s occur as a result of an unconscious habit of mouth breathing over nasal breathing. As this is not a normal movement pattern for the muscles, they have to learn to adapt and this creates disordered movement patterns. Over time this can contribute significantly to postural issues, jaw pain and headaches and dental/orthodontic issues.

What are the benefits of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

 Improve quality of sleep.  Sleep disordered breathing and sleep apnea can make it physically impossible to achieve proper rest, even if you are in bed for eight hours every night.

Relieve Jaw Pain and Headaches.

Alleviate Digestive Problems.

Boost Mental Wellness and Confidence.

Can this therapy benefit children?

Yes, absolutely!  There is no age restriction for OMT, in fact, it can yield incredibly beneficial results for children who are having difficulty controlling their face and jaw movements.  Since the therapy is non-invasive and gentle, it is especially ideal for younger people.

Children with a myofunctional impairment may show symptoms like abnormal craniofacial development, malocclusion (bad bite), delayed speech, difficulty eating or nursing, open mouth breathing, bed wetting, and behavioural concerns.  Infants born with a lip or tongue tie that needs to be revised can also receive myofuncitonal therapy to help them regain proper use of their tongue and mouth.

Holistic approach at Evolve Manual Therapy

At Evolve Manual Therapy we believe that oral health, physical health, and mental wellness are all connected and as such, our approach focuses on all facets of the health of our clients.  We are in the unique position to be able to offer OMT in conjunction with CranioSacral Therapy.  The importance of bodywork in myofunctional disorders can not be overstated.  The body is wonderfully complex and at times this complexity leads to tension patterns and dysfunction that contribute to issues around the face and mouth.  When we focus just on the area of the symptom of challenge (i.e., jaw) we may miss issues with posture or movement that are contributing to this problem.  When treatment is only aimed locally in the body, issues can often reoccur.  

A whole body and person approach ensures that we address all physical issues as well as lifestyle factors.  Getting you back to thriving in mind and body!  

Session Plans

For success in this therapy, consistency is key!  It is important to engage in the exercise program until the proper muscle patterns have been restored.  This takes commitment by the client, family – and time!  Treatment usually consists of a regular program of exercises over a 6-12 month period, although treatment length may vary. We can assist in tailoring a program to your unique needs.  The session plans listed below are our basic treatment plans to kick-start your program and are adjusted based on individual needs as required.  

You are able to purchase treatment packages and various payment options are available for convenience.

Oral Restriction  (Pre and Post Release)

Initial Appointment (90 minutes) + 3 x 30 minute follow up sessions

Purchase Treatment Package

Eating/Feeding Disorder

Initial Appointment (90 minutes) + 3 x 30 minute follow up sessions

Purchase Treatment Package

Virtual Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Initial Appointment (60 minutes) + 3 x 30 minute follow up sessions

Purchase Treatment Package