Are You “Bad Enough” for CPAP?
Airway is my main concern for all my clients. Yes, I evaluate the tongue for two conditions, a tongue thrust (tongue comes forward between the teeth engaging other muscles for swallowing) and a tongue-tie aka: ankloglossia (tissue under the tongue shorter, restricting the tongue from proper rest in the palate impeding proper function during swallowing) to dental professionals. What does the tongue have to do with airway? More then you think, I never look at the tongue the same way.
Many people are unaware of sleep disorder breathing and think it’s a bad sleep pattern. Waking up to go potty in the middle of the night, dry mouth, headaches when wake up, feeling tired during the day, tired when wake in the morning all these are signs something is disrupting your sleep! Click here for more details on sleep apnea and click here for more on children sleep disorder breathing.
The airway is your lifeline to getting adequate oxygen exchange to your brain. Our body is amazing and will compensate when the tongue is challenged by restriction or thrusting. The compensating muscles are engaging in functions they are not intended for and the muscles needed are not being used, making them weak and low muscle tone.
Orofacial muscles that have low muscle tone are at risk for relaxing and blocking the airway at night during sleep. When the soft tissue in back throat relaxes causing the airway to be blocked, creates a vibration noise, snoring. Due to the blocked airway oxygen volume to lungs decreases affecting your whole body! Most frequently occurs with larger neck circumferences, receding chin, high palate, lower part face is long, soft palate collapses, or tongue not in correct spot.
My practice has interdisciplinary approach. Needs of my patient may involve other health care professionals. Educating my clients is key to their success in getting treatment they need to be healthier. When clients are told they are not “bad enough” for CPAP or to mild for medical intervention, why wait until your health deteriorates? Tone and strengthen those muscles to improve your condition before it gets “bad enough”. Studies have shown improved AHI 50-62% in adults and children who have Myofunctional therapy!
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is an exercised based program that builds muscle tone each session based on the individuals needs to regain proper muscle function. Each session focuses on building muscle strength and toning muscles that have not been functioning properly. This will take practice and time to retrain these muscles. The goal of Myofunctional therapy is to have nasal breathing, lips sealed, tongue on the spot, and proper swallowing.
Contact me today for your FREE 30-minute Consultation to see if I can help you be a healthier you!