Orofacial Myology (OMT)

Sonia is a qualified Osteopath as well as Orofacial Myologist. She completed her training with The Myofunctional Centre . Orofacial myology (OMT) is a specialised form of therapy that focuses on the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat with reference to the function and the development of these structures. Often used in combination with Osteopathic treatment, OMT can help to correct issues related to breathing (including snoring), chewing (including jaw pain and dysfunction), swallowing, and speech. Sonia works in conjuction with dentists, orthodontists, speech pathologists as well as GPs and other specialists.

What exactly is Orofacial Myology (OMT)?

OMT is a practice that looks at the improving the function of the face and mouth (including the teeth, tongue etc) and uses as multitude of approaches to address dysfucntion in these areas. It involoves a thorough assessment of the function and structure and then we look at various exercises to improve them. Depending on what's going on and the age the patient, exercises will often progress over a number of months and can be used in conjuncion with other therapies to optimise results. Much of the work is given to the patient to complete at home as daily exericises.

Who can benefit from Orofacial Myology?

The structure of the face, mouth, nose etc is designed to work optimally- with breathing through the nose, lips closed and face relaxed unless function is required (i.e, smiling, raising your eyebrows etc)- we shouldn't hold unnecessary tension through the face, mouth, throat etc. OMT can benefit people of any age. After all, we are simply improving the function of the muscles that we use for speech, eating, swallowing and breathing. Structural changes through minimal intervention may be best achieved in younger children while baby teeth are still coming through. We definitely see adults as well who may be struggling with jaw pain, grinding, sleep apnea and genral tension throguh the neck and jaw. For the younger patients, we typically see younger people who may struggle to breath through their nose, may have a lot of congestion, regular bed wetting past 6-7yo, grinding, apnea, enlarged tonsils etc. While we often work with other practitioners to help support children through this, OMT and Osteopathic treatment may help resolve many of these functional issues and/or support them through more invasive interventions (such as palate expansion).

Why is breathing through my nose so important?

If we aren't breathing through our nose then we're breathing through our mouth. This has been associated with structural changes such as a narrow palate (roof of the mouth), narrowing of the airways, feeding/latching difficulties in babies, increased incidence in overjet and overbite. It's important to consider the many reasons why children and adults breath through their nose. We work with patients to discover why nasal breathing may pose challenges and how better breathing, and thus better overall health, may be achieved with treatment either through OMT, osteopathy, seeing an ENT or dental referal etc.

Sonia works with dentists who use palate expansion as well as other orthodonitic appliances to help improve outcomes of these practices. OMT and Osteopathy will help support your child or you as an adult if you're exploring interventions to improve overall structure of the mouth and jaw etc.

CONDITIONS THAT MAY BENEFIT FROM OROFACIAL MYOLOGY (OMT)

• Jaw pain- as well as jaw clicking, locking

• Brusxism, grinding

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Sinus congestion

• Bed wetting

• Trouble with concentration

• Nervous system regulation issues- anxiety

• Developmental challenges - coordination, sleep, socialisation, school performance