# The new myofunctional therapy in the field of speech-language pathology

> Myofunctional therapy is the specialty that allows the speech-language pathologist to perform neuromuscular reeducation or remodeling of the orofacial system. It enables us to...

- **Author:** carlos-garcia · **Category:** Adultos
- **Published:** 2014-11-23 · **Updated:** 2023-03-10
- **URL:** https://elteuespai.com/en/new-myofunctional-therapy-in-speech-language-pathology/
- _Translation pending clinical review._

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**Myofunctional therapy** is the specialty that allows the **speech-language pathologist** to perform neuromuscular reeducation or remodeling of the orofacial system. It enables us to prevent, detect, evaluate, diagnose, prognosticate, and rehabilitate the imbalance that occurs in the orofacial system from childhood to old age.

In order to understand the scope of **myofunctional therapy**, it is necessary to know the organs and tissues that make up the orofacial system or stomatognathic system and their main functions.

#### The stomatognathic system

Etymologically it comes from Greek, stoma (mouth or oral cavity) and gnathic (jaw).

The stomatognathic system (S.S.) is the set of organs and tissues located in the craniofacial region, situated in the oral cavity and part of the skull, neck, and face. It is mainly composed of:

 	- Lips
 	- Tongue
 	- Teeth
 	- Palate
 	- Cheeks
 	- Oropharynx
 	- Frenula
 	- Jaws
 	- Salivary glands
 	- Tonsils

The functions that the **Therapy** is responsible for rehabilitating are:

 	- **Breathing:** a vital function that includes the inspiratory-expiratory cycle.
 	- **Feeding:** with basic and innate functions such as sucking and swallowing, and others such as salivation and chewing.
 	- **Phonoarticulation:** speech, language, and voice.

### Intervention

Although in its origins myofunctional therapy is directly related to dentistry and orthodontics, **its application brings benefits to various conditions**, among which the following stand out:

 	- Atypical or dysfunctional swallowing
 	- Speech disorders: difficulty in the articulation of phonemes (dyslalias).
 	- Neurological disorders: dysarthrias, stroke, TBI, infantile cerebral palsy.
 	- Neurodegenerative diseases: Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS, MS.
 	- Voice disorders: dysphonias.

This reeducative treatment will be carried out by **speech-language pathologists specialized in myofunctional therapy**, although coordination with the various professionals will be necessary.

Professionals it relates to:

 	- Dentistry: Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Maxillofacial Surgery.
 	- Speech-Language Pathology
 	- Pediatrics and Neonatology
 	- Otorhinolaryngology
 	- Neurology
 	- Phoniatrics
 	- Physiotherapy, kinesiology
 	- Sleep medicine, treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

**The treatment is non-invasive, low-cost** and can address the cause of many problems, rather than the symptoms.

Problems associated with swallowing disorders or tongue thrust:

 	- Crooked teeth (malocclusion) or relapse after orthodontics
 	- Headaches
 	- Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) pain, stiffness of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
 	- Forward head posture
 	- Digestive disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux or excessive swallowing of air
 	- Sleep and respiratory disorders
 	- Oral lesions or irritation of the tongue
 	- Gum disease (Gingivitis and Periodontitis)
 	- Psychological problems
 	- Developmental delay and other childhood developmental problems
 	- Middle ear drainage problems
 	- Bruxism, grinding or clenching of teeth
 	- Drooling
 	- Habits such as nail biting (onychophagia), thumb sucking, hair chewing (trichophagia), biting the lips or cheek (dermatophagia)

### Treatment

**Myofunctional treatment** is based on a series of exercises and manipulations of the organs involved to improve tone and functioning. These exercises are called orofacial praxis, with lingual and labial ones standing out.

The intervention can be either passive, where the professional acts on the patient, or active, when the patient performs the action.

Objectives:

 	- Elimination therapy: undoing the bad habit through behavior modification.
 	- Therapy exercises that will improve nasal breathing and orofacial functions.
 	- Promoting a new swallowing and chewing pattern.
 	- Realigning body, neck, and head posture.
 	- The generalization and habituation of the new muscular pattern.

The material used in **myofunctional therapy** is very varied and ranges from tongue depressors, balloons, party blowers to the orofacial vibratory stimulator.

An individualized treatment allows the speech-language pathologist to decide which exercises are most appropriate for the patient. **With pediatric patients, creativity and the playful aspect of the sessions are essential.**

For the success of the intervention, awareness of the problem on the part of the patient and their family is necessary, with follow-up and a commitment to work outside the speech therapy sessions; this sets the pace of the rehabilitation.

[El teu Espai, if you are in Santa Coloma or the surrounding area, can help you](https://elteuespai.com)