Home » Orofacial Myology in Belmore, Sydney
Orofacial Myology Therapy in Sydney for Children and Adults
Innerlink Therapy provides orofacial myology therapy from our Belmore clinic in Sydney for children and adults experiencing difficulties with oral muscle function. Orofacial myology focuses on how the muscles of the face, mouth and tongue work during breathing, chewing, swallowing and speech.
Our therapy can support people with orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs), including difficulties with tongue posture, mouth breathing, chewing, swallowing and other patterns that affect oral function. Assessment and therapy are tailored to the individual, with the aim of improving functional movement and everyday oral function
Orofacial Myology with a Speech Pathologist
At Innerlink Therapy, orofacial myology is provided as part of our Speech Pathology service. Our speech pathologists assess oral movement patterns and how they may affect breathing, chewing, swallowing and speech, then develop an individualised therapy approach based on the person’s functional needs.
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Understanding Oral Resting Posture
Oral resting posture describes the position of the lips, tongue and jaw when a person is not speaking, eating or drinking.
At rest, the jaw is generally relaxed, with the upper and lower teeth slightly apart rather than held together. Lip and tongue posture should be considered alongside the person’s age, development, anatomy and ability to breathe comfortably through the nose.
Persistent mouth breathing or difficulty breathing through the nose may require assessment by a GP or ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor. Our speech pathologists consider these factors when assessing oral function and planning therapy.
What Are Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs)?
Orofacial myofunctional disorders happen when the muscles of the face and mouth do not work the way they should. These issues can make it harder for a person to eat, speak, or breathe properly. They can also affect how the face and mouth grow and develop over time. Some common signs of OMDs include trouble swallowing, breathing through the mouth instead of the nose, or having the tongue in the wrong position when resting or speaking. Treatment can help improve muscle function.
This short video demonstrates the “taco tongue” movement as an example of tongue movement used within orofacial myology activities. Exercises should be selected according to individual needs following appropriate assessment.
What May Contribute to Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?
Orofacial myofunctional disorders can involve a combination of factors. These may include:
- difficulty breathing through the nose because of nasal obstruction, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or allergies
- differences in how the teeth and jaws fit together
- restrictions in tongue movement that affect oral function
- prolonged thumb, finger or dummy sucking
- learned patterns of tongue, lip and jaw movement.
Assessment considers how these factors relate to the person’s breathing, chewing, swallowing, speech and oral resting posture. Where appropriate, care may involve collaboration with a GP, ENT doctor, dentist or orthodontist.
How Can a Speech Pathologist Help with Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?
Speech Pathologists can assess how orofacial myofunctional disorders affect breathing, chewing, swallowing, speech and everyday oral function. Assessment may include:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: Speech pathologists conduct a thorough evaluation to assess the patient’s oral, facial, and muscle patterns, including tongue posture, lip closure, jaw alignment, and breathing patterns.
- Identification of Associated Issues: Speech pathologists check for secondary issues that may arise from OMD, including airway impacts, speech difficulties (articulation), difficulty with feeding.
- Functional Assessment: They evaluate how OMD affects daily functions such as chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing, identifying any areas of concern.
Individualised Orofacial Myology Treatment
Following assessment, our Speech Pathologists develop an individualised therapy plan based on the person’s oral function, communication needs and everyday goals. Therapy may focus on improving tongue posture, lip closure, chewing, swallowing, speech and other functional movement patterns where appropriate.
Orofacial Myology Therapy Techniques
Therapy may include targeted activities and exercises to support tongue and lip movement, oral coordination, resting posture, chewing, swallowing and speech where clinically appropriate. The specific approach is selected according to the person’s assessment findings, functional needs and therapy goals.
Enquire About Orofacial Myology in Belmore, Sydney
To discuss orofacial myology assessment and therapy for a child or adult, contact Innerlink Therapy’s Client Care Team.
We can explain the appointment process, fees and availability, and arrange for your concerns to be discussed with a speech pathologist.
Call (02) 8065 1197 or enquire about an Orofacial Myology assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Orofacial Myology? Orofacial myology, sometimes called myofunctional therapy, focuses on the function and coordination of the muscles of the face, mouth and tongue. Therapy may address patterns related to tongue posture, chewing, swallowing, speech and oral rest posture, based on the individual’s assessment and needs.
Who can benefit from Orofacial Myology? Orofacial myology may be appropriate for children and adults with difficulties involving tongue posture, mouth breathing, tongue thrust, chewing, swallowing or speech sounds where oral function is contributing to the difficulty. It may also form part of care alongside orthodontic treatment or following procedures such as tongue-tie release, where clinically appropriate.
What happens during an Orofacial Myology assessment? During your initial Orofacial Myology assessment, your speech pathologist will evaluate how the muscles of your face, lips, tongue and jaw are working together. We assess breathing patterns, tongue posture, swallowing, chewing, speech and oral muscle function to identify any myofunctional disorders. Based on the assessment, we’ll develop a personalised therapy plan tailored to your goals and provide practical strategies to support progress at home.
Can a speech pathologist provide Orofacial Myology therapy in Sydney? Yes. Innerlink Therapy provides Orofacial Myology as part of our Speech Pathology service from our Belmore clinic in Sydney. Our speech pathologists assess oral movement patterns and how they may affect breathing, chewing, swallowing and speech, then develop an individualised therapy approach based on the person’s functional needs.