Tongue-ties and Myofunctional Therapy: 2 Pieces Of the Puzzle
Tongue-ties and myofunctional therapy
When I lecture about tongue-ties and myofunctional therapy being 2 pieces of the puzzle, I guess I should clarify that what I mean is…when a person is treating a tongue-tie, it is imperative that it be combined with myofunctional therapy. (In most cases. An infant won’t do formal myofunctional therapy, but the doctor will have you do important stretches to keep the wound from reattaching AND when you breastfeed an infant…that is myofunctional therapy for an infant!)
I know, I know…there are many people out there who have had a frenectomy without myofunctional therapy, but they shouldn’t.
Tongue-ties and myofunctional therapy are the perfect recipes. PB & J. Cinnamon & sugar. Chips & salsa.
I call myofunctional therapy a piece of the foundation because you can’t adequately rehabilitate the oral structures without it. You don’t build a house on quicksand. And you shouldn’t complete a frenectomy without adequate pre and post-procedure therapy.
What is myofunctional therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is a therapy program aimed at teaching correct oral function and rehabilitating the oral structures. By strengthening weak muscles, learning proper function and making behavior modifications, improvements can be made to breathing, speaking, chewing and swallowing.
What is a tongue-tie?
Ankyloglossia (proper term), is a condition that is present at birth, although often not diagnosed. This condition restricts the range of motion due to an unusually short or tight band of tissue under the tongue called the lingual frenum or lingual frenulum. This tissue anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
Tongue-ties vary in severity, with some having very limited movement and others only slightly reduced. this restricted movement causes poor muscle function. As a result of poor muscle function feeding, speech and craniofacial development are also altered.
Recommended treatment for a tongue-tie
Treatment for a tongue-tie is done through a simple procedure called a lingual frenectomy. Your doctor, using a scalpel or laser, will release the tethered oral tissue that is restricting the movement of your tongue.
Your doctor will prescribe stretches to keep the frenum from reattaching as it heals. These stretches are different from myofunctional therapy exercises and are extremely important to complete as prescribed to avoid reattachment and bet the best healing.
Myofunctional impairments that can be caused by a tongue-tie
- Open-mouth breathing
- Improper swallow
- Speech challenges
- TMJ pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Tongue thrust
- Eating/drinking issues
- Digestive complaints
- Facial growth alterations
- Increased risk for sleep apnea
Just to name a few.
Why do I need to do myofunctional therapy too?
When a frenectomy is completed the tongue will have more range of motion.
Consequently, it is important to teach the tongue and all of the associated muscles how to properly function together. If the muscles aren’t retrained, the function won’t change.
Myofunctional impairment will not magically disappear just because you’ve had a frenectomy and the tongue has a better range of movement.
Similar to physical therapy prescribed following a major surgery, myofunctional therapy should be prescribed in conjunction with a frenectomy.
What is my first step?
Your first step to getting a really good grasp on what myofunctional therapy is and why you need it.
You can download our free assessment tool to start with. Then a free 30-minute assessment appointment will give you a chance to meet me, get your questions answered and see if it makes sense for you to pay for an exam. The last thing I want to happen is you pay for an exam, and I tell you that “you’re fine”! (That’s never happened, but I don’t want it to!)
The other super important thing is that you find the right provider for the job. Just because a Dr. has the “knowledge” to do the frenectomy procedure, does not mean he or she should be doing it.
If you talk to your doctor and your concerns are dismissed, I would encourage a second or third opinion. Not every doctor understands the consequences of a tongue-tie or the importance of myofunctional therapy. I’ve talked about this recently here and here, but the best place is to start by talking with me, so I can help guide you. I have a working relationship with many excellent, reputable providers around the world and I think it is important for you to understand how crucial this decision is.
There are many programs to choose from.
Because I see clients all over the world, I have some different programs. I’ve created these programs because it became very apparent that not everyone could do the “Cadillac, traditional therapy” approach that many other therapists demand. Not that I don’t agree that everyone should do the traditional therapy, but the glaring reality is that it is not possible for a large portion of the population.
So with that in mind, I took the most important information and developed step-by-step programs that will give you the roadmap to wellness, even if you can’t do “traditional” therapy. Here are the highlights of my programs, and you can read more on prices and payment plans here.
“Traditional therapy” is what I consider the most ideal therapy. I see you LIVE for all of your therapy. I teach you the exercises one-on-one and you demonstrate and receive feedback.
“Hybrid therapy” is a mixture of live and video-based education. This program has 15 minute, live check-in and skills assessment appointments, but the exercises are taught via detailed videos. You also have the full support of me when you have questions! This program offers a $500 savings over traditional therapy and is the same therapy that I teach to traditional clients. This program is 12 sessions.
“Myo-2-Go” is a 100% video-based education series. This program is the same 12 lessons that I teach in my one-on-one live therapy. This program is popular amongst missionaries, students and world travelers. You do not have live support from me per se, however, your program enrollment gives you access to a Myo-2-Go Facebook Support Group where I show up live to answer questions, and you also have the support of your fellow “myo-family”.
My recommendation is to do the best therapy that you can afford to do. If you have geographic, time or finaancial barriers, you should consider Myo-Hybrid or Myo-2-Go. You can’t go wrong because it is the same, quality education as the traditional route, just delivered a little bit differently!
Other great resources.
I am LIVE on Facebook most Wednesdays at 11:30 am Mountain time. I cover a huge range of topics!
I have the Tongue-Tie and Myofunctional Therapy Support Group on Facebook, which you are encouraged to join.
I have an extensive blog.
I’m growing a great YouTube channel.
I am very active on Instagram!
Are you a Facebook Fan of Integrative Myofunctional Therapy?
Sign up to download my free assessment tool and check “yes” to get my weekly email about all things myo!
I teach a free class called: “Become a V.H.P: Your 6 Step Roadmap to Becoming a Vital Healthy Person By Understanding Your Myofunctional Impairment”. You can watch one of the video replays here.
If You Have Concerns
By now, if you’ve been following me long enough…you know my path of passion here. You know this stuff is on my heart like a brick and I’m here to serve, educate, and empower YOU to take this time to focus on YOU.
I spend countless hours creating content to educate you. If any of my content makes you nod your head or resonates with you like a fire in your belly, YOU deserve to know more. You deserve to be more. You deserve to be your best self.
How does myofunctional impairment look like for you? Let’s unpack that.
Maybe it’s feeling like poop. Day in and day out. Maybe its exhaustion from poor sleep or a snoring partner. Maybe it’s a poor self-image because you don’t like how your face looks. Maybe it’s poor parenting because you just don’t have the energy.
Now….ask yourself….what it might look like if you put YOU first, and made this your year, your month, your hour, your minute to make YOU a priority?
Does it look like you flying out of bed in the morning to voraciously face the day…because you’re rested?
Does it look like you “OWNING” the energy to move your blessed, amazing body because you have untapped energy?
Does it look like you finally being able to shed those last 10-20-30 pounds because your energy and self-love have gone sky-high?
Does it look like you finally feeling good? No digestive issues or medications to mask the problem.
Right now, is YOUR chance to take that first step to feel your best and live your best life. Don’t short change yourself or make excuses. Don’t put up barriers or start with the self-talking lies. Make yourself a pinkie promise to start exploring your myofunctional impairment today. Don’t let another year, month, hour, minute or second go by without you choosing to make YOU a priority.
It doesn’t cost you a dime to make a free 30-minute appointment with me to talk about you and what you should do. Start. Today.
By the way, If you are like me, and you like to do some “me-search” before talking to a human. I get it. For that reason, I like to share my assessment tool with anyone who is suspecting myofunctional impairment. You can get the assessment tool here and it asks you 25 of the most common questions that I dig deep into during a myofunctional exam. And, if you want to step it up a notch, I recently taught a free class “Become a V.H.P: Your 6 Step Roadmap to Becoming a Vital Healthy Person By Understanding Your Myofunctional Impairment” where I walk you through 6 areas that are uber important for you to consider….and I make it easy on you because I tell you what numbers I’m talking about from the assessment tool . You can watch the video replay here. I encourage you to download your assessment first, fill it out and then watch the video!
About Carmen
Carmen found her path of passion years ago as a dental hygienist. After a stint in graduate school to earn her M.B.A., she left clinical hygiene practice to start her business, Integrative Myofunctional Therapy. In addition to seeing clients in her private online practice, she also teaches the craft of myofunctional therapy in her Myo Mastery Program, coaches dental offices on how to implement myofunctional screening into the daily practice, and speaks frequently in various settings.
Carmen is a provider for the Foundation of Airway Health, where she works diligently for the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of airway related disorders.
In addition, she is a proud member of several professional associations that afford her the opportunity to learn so that she can help her clients. Her professional memberships include: