Buteyko Breathing

Mouth breathing when we are not acutely sick is a habit that, unfortunately, we will not "grow out of" and requires intervention. Prolonged mouth-breathing can contribute to health issues such as cavities, worsening asthma symptoms, inflammation of the tonsils and adenoids, recurrent illness, decreased oxygen to the brain, changes in facial appearance and structure, and the development of sleep apnea.

Properly treating prolonged mouth breathing requires a team of professionals including a concerned parent, a pediatrician, an Ear/Nose/Throat doctor (ENT), and a therapist like Mr. Myo who is trained in how to evaluate and treat breathing disorders! 

The Buteyko Breathing Method is a holistic approach to managing respiratory issues, such as mouth breathing, asthma, allergies, sleep breathing disorders, and COPD, by emphasizing nasal breathing and balanced inhalation-to-exhalation ratios to optimize oxygenation and alleviate symptoms. 

Mr. Myo is also trained in the use of various Respiratory Muscle Strength Training (RMST) devices to help clients improve their general health and habits, recover from injury, or improve their athletic performance.

Myofunctional therapy is an exercise training program for the muscles around your face, mouth, and tongue. These exercises are designed to improve issues with talking, eating, or breathing. Research has found that myofunctional therapy exercises may also be an effective treatment for sleep-disordered breathing and TMJ disorders. 

Oral motor therapy is a treatment modality that focuses on  improving oral rest posture (lips closed & tongue up, jaw relaxed), improving muscle coordination, strength, dissociation, and range of motion. Improvements in oral motor skills contribute to better breathing, sleep, feeding, swallowing, and speech production.

Swallowing therapy generally focuses on retraining muscles to improve swallowing and to reduce the risk of choking and aspiration. Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) may happen in children and adults. There are various medical reasons why dysphagia symptoms may occur and they should always be treated in conjunction with your primary care physician. 

Swallowing therapy can also help to retrain immature swallow patterns in children and adults and a "tongue thrust" swallow. Improper swallowing (and breathing) can impact eustachian tube clearance and lead to more ear infections in children. Improper swallow patterns may also contribute to changes in dentition, facial development, posture, and craniofacial pain. 

Therapy involves exercises and stretches to optimize the healing process and improve the range of motion, strength, and function in the tongue or lips in preparation for and after a frenectomy procedure. This therapy, often guided by a myofunctional therapist and in collaboration with an oral surgeon, helps to prevent reattachment of the frenulum and to promote proper function and alignment of the oral structures. 

After healing has completed, therapy to retrain swallowing, speech, and resting posture may be necessary to ensure full resolution of symptoms.