· 4 min read

How to Find a Myofunctional Therapist in Columbus, Ohio and Why Myofunctional Therapy Matters for Your Health

Dr. Julie Park, DMD

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

What is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional Therapy is like physical therapy for the mouth and tongue. If you sprain your ankle, you see a physical therapist to regain strength and mobility. Similarly, when the tongue is weak or rests low in the mouth, a Myofunctional Therapist helps strengthen and coordinate the muscles of the face and mouth—including the tongue, lips, jaw, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and cheeks—which are essential for breathing, sleeping, and swallowing. Through neuromuscular re-education, Myofunctional Therapy corrects poor oral habits and restores proper function.

Myofunctional therapist teaching a young child the Lateral Tongue Movement Exercise
Myofunctional Therapist teaching a young child the Lateral Tongue Movement Exercise to strengthen and tone the tongue muscles.

What are Goals of Myofunctional Therapy?

The primary goals of Myofunctional Therapy include improving breathing, posture, and oral function. Here's how it works:

Nasal Breathing: The primary goal of therapy is to establish nasal breathing day and night. Nasal breathing enhances sleep quality and energy levels by producing nitric oxide—a powerful molecule that improves oxygen absorption, lowers blood pressure, and promotes overall health.
Lip Seal: Keeping lips together at rest encourages proper tongue posture and nasal breathing. Many individuals with oral dysfunction habitually breathe through their mouths, leading to various health concerns.
Correct Tongue Posture: The tongue should rest fully against the palate. Proper tongue posture supports nasal breathing, facilitates efficient swallowing, and promotes healthy facial development.
Proper Chewing and Swallowing: Tongue thrusting and swallowing difficulties often stem from weak oral muscles. Myofunctional Therapy retrains the tongue and surrounding muscles, restoring balance and function.

Who Can Benefit from Myofunctional Therapy?

Anyone experiencing oral dysfunction can benefit from Myofunctional Therapy. Common conditions that improve with therapy include:

Condition Symptoms How Therapy Helps
Mouth Breathing Dry mouth, bad breath, snoring Encourages nasal breathing, improves sleep
TMJ Disorders Jaw pain, clicking, headaches Reduces tension, improves jaw mobility
Sleep Apnea Snoring, fatigue, poor sleep quality Strengthens airway muscles, supports breathing
Tongue Thrust Lisp, open bite, swallowing difficulty Trains tongue posture for better function
Neck & Shoulder Tension Chronic tightness, headaches Addresses compensatory muscle strain
Pre and Post-Frenectomy Tongue tie release recovery Optimizes healing and function after release

Is Myofunctional Therapy Evidence-Based?

Studies highlight the effectiveness of Myofunctional Therapy in improving sleep, jaw function, and breathing:

  • A 2018 meta-analysis in Nature and The Science of Sleep found Myofunctional Therapy significantly reduced sleep apnea severity and improved sleep quality.
  • A randomized controlled study in the Journal of Craniomandibular Practice showed that Myofunctional Therapy reduced TMJ-related pain and increased jaw mobility.
  • A cohort study of 420 patients with tongue ties found that Myofunctional Therapy before release led to a 91.1% satisfaction rate, with improvements in tongue mobility, sleep quality, breathing, and reduced neck and shoulder tension.

While large-scale, double-blind studies are still limited, growing research continues to support its role in treating sleep-disordered breathing, TMJ dysfunction, and posture-related concerns.

Why Myofunctional Therapy Before and After a Tongue Tie Release?

Ankyloglossia (tongue tie) restricts tongue mobility, impairing speech, chewing, swallowing, oral hygiene, and breathing. Many patients develop compensatory habits, such as mouth breathing and excessive muscle strain in the head and neck.

Myofunctional Therapy prepares the patient by:

  • Increasing oral awareness and tongue function
  • Strengthening the tongue and orofacial muscles
  • Rehabilitating compensations that may hinder post-release recovery

For example, many patients unknowingly engage their neck muscles to compensate for restricted tongue movement. Therapy retrains these muscles, helping ensure a successful frenectomy outcome. Patients who complete Myofunctional Therapy before their frenectomy typically experience better results, improved function, and lower risk of reattachment.

Adult tongue tie before frenectomy — restrictive frenulum visible beneath the lifted tongue
Picture of a tongue tie before a frenectomy
Adult tongue tie after frenectomy — sutures visible, mobility restored
Picture after a tongue tie frenectomy

Patient story: Meet Sarah—a 22-year-old woman who struggled with persistent jaw pain and poor sleep for years. She had tried everything, from night guards to chiropractic adjustments, with little relief. When she finally sought an evaluation, she learned she had an undiagnosed tongue tie restricting her tongue's natural movement. Before her release, she began Myofunctional Therapy, strengthening her tongue and retraining her muscles. After the procedure, her therapist guided her through recovery exercises, helping her fully regain function. Today, Sarah sleeps better, breathes more easily, and is finally free from chronic pain.

Who are the Myofunctional Therapists in Columbus, Ohio?

Central Ohio is home to several highly skilled Myofunctional Therapists. While therapy can be done virtually, an initial in-person evaluation is ideal for the best assessment. Here are three experienced knowledgeable therapists I collaborate with:

Deanna Wilkinson (Midwest Myo)

  • Treats children (4+) and adults
  • Starts with in-person evaluations, then offers virtual sessions
  • Specializes in tongue tie-related tongue thrust, TMJ disorders, and mouth breathing

Amy Szana (Central Ohio Myo)

  • Treats children and adults
  • Begins with in-person evaluations, with virtual therapy options
  • Specializes in tongue tie-related tongue thrust and head/neck tension

Melanie Shultz (Specialized Speech Technologies)

  • Treats children (5+) and adults
  • Offers in-office treatment
  • Specializes in mouth breathing, incorrect tongue posture, swallowing and speech issues

If you're considering a frenectomy or struggling with oral function, Myofunctional Therapy is a valuable tool to optimize your results and improve your overall health. If you experience mouth breathing, jaw tension, or tongue thrust, therapy can help retrain your muscles for better function. Start today and take the first step toward better breathing, swallowing, and overall well-being!

References

  1. Allen, R. (n.d.). The health benefits of nose breathing. Nursing in General Practice.
  2. de Felício, C. M., Dias, F. V., & Trawitzki, L. V. (2018). Obstructive sleep apnea: Focus on myofunctional therapy. Nature and Science of Sleep, 10, 271-286.
  3. de Felício, C. M., Melchior, M. O., & da Silva, M. A. M. R. (2010). Effects of orofacial myofunctional therapy on temporomandibular disorders. Journal of Craniomandibular Practice, 28(4), 1-11.
  4. Hiiemae, K. M., & Palmer, J. B. (2003). Tongue movements in feeding and speech. Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, 14(6), 413–429.
  5. Zaghi, S., et al. (2019). Lingual frenuloplasty with myofunctional therapy: Exploring safety and efficacy in 348 cases. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, 4(5), 489-496.

Ready to take the next step?

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Park to discuss your concerns and explore your treatment options.

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(614) 636-0338

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