Orofacial Myology
Speaking, eating, drinking, breathing, and sleeping all have something in common – the use of oral and facial muscles. Orofacial Myology is a professional discipline used in the evaluation and treatment of oral dysfunction across the lifespan. It considers how the function of the muscles of the tongue, lips, jaw, and face may be impacted by postural and functional disorders, or ongoing effects associated with disorders and degenerative conditions.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy includes assessment and treatment of oral and facial muscle dysfunction and oral habits that disrupt swallowing and speech. For example, poor muscle tone as a result of a degenerative condition. Muscle dysfunction may lead to pain that results in changes to oral movements.
What Can Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Help With?
At Speak & Swallow, we are trained in the delivery of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and support adolescents and adults with conditions impacting their oral musculature. The types of difficulties we can address with Orofacial Myology include:
- Tongue thrust
- Chewing difficulties
- Swallowing difficulties
- Incorrect lip and tongue posture
- Mouth breathing
- TMJ pain
- Sleep disordered breathing
- Sleep Apnoea
- Drooling
- Teeth grinding
- Tongue ties
- Speech disorders
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy also plays an important role in recovery after lingual frenectomy (also known as removal of a tongue tie) to maintain the results of orthodontic treatment and help to achieve speech therapy goals. The team at Speak & Swallow can support you in the lead up to and after you have undergo a lingual frenuloplasty. If you are based in North Brisbane or Moreton Bay, get in touch with us today to express your interest in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Kits
What sets Orofacial Myofunctional therapy apart is the tailored exercises that are used to target oro-facial musculature to address symptoms and improve muscle tone.
At Speak & Swallow, we provide our clients participating in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy with personalized “MyoKits” complete with printed instructions and a variety of tools for completing oral motor exercises as part of a tailored program. These kits give our clients all the tools they need to complete regular home practice to help them progress towards achieving their Orofacial Myofunctional goals.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Brisbane
If you or someone you love is experiencing difficulties with speech or swallowing that may be impacted by changes or symptoms impacting the movement or muscle tone of the face, tongue, and jaw, you may benefit from Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. Speak & Swallow provide Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Brisbane from a private practice clinic in Burpengary East. If you, a teenager or adult in your care, could benefit from the professional and personalised support we provide at Speak and Swallow, please get in touch by phoning 1300 867 732 or filling out our contact form.
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Image credit: © AOMT – Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy