Sleep Quality
Snoring, Sleep Apnea, adapting to a CPAP machine? We have you covered!
Sleep Disordered Breathing & Sleep Apnea
Yes, myofunctional therapy can help with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and sleep apnea. SDB is a condition in which breathing is disrupted during sleep. This can lead to several health problems, including sleep deprivation, fatigue, and high blood pressure. Sleep apnea is a type of SDB in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This can lead to even more serious health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
Myofunctional therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on correcting the function of the muscles in the mouth and face. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including SDB and sleep apnea.
Myofunctional therapy for SDB and sleep apnea typically involves a series of exercises to strengthen the tongue muscles and teach the patient how to position their tongue correctly.
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The length of treatment varies depending on the severity of the SDB or sleep apnea and the patient's cooperation.
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If you suspect Sleep Apnea or SDB in you or your child, reach out to your doctor or dentist for further instruction. THEN, reach out to us to begin your therapy program for better sleep!
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**We do not diagnose any sleep disorders are do not claim to cure any illness or disease**
CPAP Tolerance
Breathing exercises and oral/myofunctional therapy can help with CPAP use. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy is a common treatment for sleep apnea. CPAP therapy works by delivering pressurized air through a mask worn over the nose and mouth during sleep. This pressurized air helps keep the airways open, preventing the breathing interruptions that occur in sleep apnea.
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Some people find it difficult to use CPAP therapy, especially at first. Breathing exercises and oral therapy can help to make CPAP therapy more comfortable and easier to use.
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Breathing exercises can help to strengthen the respiratory muscles and improve breathing patterns. This can make it easier to breathe against the pressure of the CPAP machine.
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Oral Therapy can help to identify any underlying problems with the mouth and throat that may be contributing to the sleep apnea. For example, oral therapy can help prepare a client for tongue tie release or palatal expansion. The diagnosis of a tongue tie or narrow palate comes from a trained medical or dental provider.
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Here are some specific examples of breathing exercises and oral therapy techniques that can help with CPAP use:
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Breathing exercises:
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Pursed-lip breathing: Breathe in slowly through the nose and exhale slowly through the mouth, keeping your lips pursed as if you are whistling.​
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Diaphragmatic breathing: PLace one hand on your chest and the other hand on your stomach. As you breathe in, your stomach should rise and your chest should remain still. As you exhale, your stomach should fall and your chest should remain still.
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Myofunctional Therapy:​
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Tongue exercises​
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​Swallowing exercises​ (oral phase only)
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Oral rest posture exercises
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If you are having difficulty using CPAP therapy, talk to your doctor or sleep specialist. They can help you develop a plan to make CPAP therapy more comfortable and easier to use. Breathing exercises and oral/myofunctional therapy may be part of this plan.
At Myofunctional Pathways LLC, we offer a holistic approach to help patients overcome sleep disorders and breathing issues. Our myofunctional therapy techniques are non-invasive and designed to retrain the muscles in the mouth and face to function properly. We also offer sleep coaching to help patients establish healthy habits and improve the quality of their sleep. We work in close collaboration with your healthcare provider and we NEVER recommend discontinuing your CPAP or other devices without prior consultation with your doctor. **We do not diagnose any sleep disorders and do not claim to cure any illness or disease**
