Questions to Ask Your Myofunctional Therapist

Questions to Ask Your Myofunctional Therapist

I get asked frequently to give input on some key questions to ask your myofunctional therapist (or should I say, potential myofunctional therapist).

Is this something that resonates with you too? Are you stumped about what questions to ask to ensure that you are getting the best therapy program and exercises to correct your individual myofunctional impairments?  

The first question that needs asking is about personality match. This isn’t a question for your myofunctional therapist, but for yourself.  I think you should ask yourself..”If the myofunctional therapist that you are considering working with is a great personality match for you?”  

Don’t focus on price.  Any therapist who leads only with the price doesn’t have a unique myofunctional experience to offer you.  You should be focused on the experience first and learn how she can see herself helping you achieve the results that you desire from therapy.

 You have to work with this person for a decent amount of time, and a personality mismatch just ain’t gonna work. Find that person who rocks the know, like and trust factor for you and the rest of the details will work out.

Ok, now to the questions to ask your myofunctional therapist.

Question #1 to ask your myofunctional therapist: What do you think I need and why? 

If you ask this question and your therapist can’t explain this to you with confidence, then move on.  How can you understand your needs when your therapist doesn’t? This should be a red flag! Now, with that said, I often have 2 options for a client, but usually one is my favorite.  I will tell my clients exactly what I see and what I want them to do. In the event that my recommendation is not possible, then I tell them the next best option.

Read: Why Is there so much variation in myofunctional therapy programs?

Read: The Ultimate Guide to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Question #2 to ask your myofunctional therapist: What is your plan for me? 

Does she have a meticulously, organized step-by-step framework or are you being told that “everyone is different and needs something different”? 

This means that she is going to fly by the seat of her pants and doesn’t have a plan for you. She will be making it up along the way.  This is an area where I tend to go against the grain. I agree that people are all different, but just because Jane and John are different, doesn’t mean that they don’t each need to learn the same important building blocks.  Now maybe Jane doesn’t need to work as long on something as John does, but they still need the same tools.

I teach the correct swallowing mechanics. You don’t think I teach different steps to everyone, do you? That wouldn’t work so well, because there is a right and wrong way, and you can’t teach something different to everyone.

Question #3 to ask your myofunctional therapist: What is the plan for setbacks, such as reattachment or a 2-stage release? 

If she doesn’t have the plan “built into” what she is recommending for you, then perhaps she hasn’t dealt with this yet.

In conclusion, at the end of the day, you must be comfortable with your decisions.  Knowing what questions to ask your myofunctional therapist will help you make the best decision based on your needs and what you’d like to achieve with therapy.

What Should You Do First?

Drop into the rabbit hole!  C’mon in, the water is fine!  Once you start to understand this stuff, you will become obsessed with the information, just like we have!  Continue learning.  If you’re new to all this myofunctional therapy stuff, you should start with the Ultimate Guide to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy.

Read The Ultimate Guide to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy