Whole Body Health Begins with the Tongue... It's All Connected!
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is a specialized approach designed to improve the function and coordination of the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat. These muscles play a critical role in everyday activities such as breathing, swallowing, speaking, and even sleeping. When these muscles are out of balance, it can lead to a range of health and developmental issues. Myofunctional therapy addresses these imbalances through a series of exercises and techniques that retrain muscle patterns, helping clients achieve optimal function and overall well-being. Whether you’re an adult struggling with poor sleep or jaw pain, or a parent concerned about your child’s oral health or speech development, myofunctional therapy offers a holistic and effective solution.
Signs of a Myofunctional Disorder:
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Open-mouth breathing, especially during sleep
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Poor Posture or Forward Head Position
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Sleep issues including snoring, noisy breathing, or frequent waking at night
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Speech sound disorders, especially for teenagers or adults that have “tried everything” to correct speech sound disorders without success
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TMJ Disorders
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Thumb-sucking or oral habits such as fingernail biting or lip biting
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Headaches
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Teeth clenching, or grinding
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Orthodontia relapse
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Tongue and/or Lip Ties
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Chronic Sinus Issues
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Chronic neck and shoulder and jaw pain
Poor muscle coordination in the jaw, tongue, and lips is often the root cause of issues like snoring, TMJ pain, fatigue, speech difficulties, and even orthodontic relapse. Myofunctional therapy addresses these concerns by retraining oral and facial muscles for proper function.
For children, therapy helps correct patterns like tongue thrust, where the tongue pushes against the teeth during swallowing. This not only improves swallowing but also enhances speech clarity and dental alignment.
For adults, myofunctional therapy strengthens throat muscles, improving airway stability to relieve sleep apnea and snoring. It also reduces TMJ pain by correcting jaw and tongue posture and helps maintain orthodontic results by supporting proper muscle function.
Why Choose Me?
With over 25 years of experience as a licensed speech-language pathologist, I bring a unique perspective to myofunctional therapy. My background allows me to seamlessly integrate speech therapy with myofunctional techniques, providing a holistic approach that addresses both communication and physical health. In addition, my certification in Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) enables me to address the emotional barriers that sometimes accompany oral habits, therapy resistance and underlying stressors that limit progress.
As the owner of True North Speech & Wellness, I pride myself on delivering personalized care tailored to each client’s unique needs. Whether I’m working with a child on proper tongue posture or helping an adult find relief from TMJ pain, my goal is always the same: to help you or your loved one thrive. With flexible options for in-home and virtual sessions, as well as a convenient office space at Hanover Wellness Center, I’m here to make therapy accessible and effective.
Get Started
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Denise Lowe, Owner & Speech-Language Pathologist
763-220-0426
Hanover Wellness Center, 10981 4th Street NE, Hanover, MN 55341
Teletherapy sessions are available through the state of Minnesota.
