What to Expect During Your OMT Appointment with a PT
If you’re considering or are scheduled for Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, (OMT), you might have some questions about what the process entails. This therapy focuses on improving the function of the muscles of your face, mouth, throat, tongue, and jaw. It’s commonly used to treat issues like tongue thrust, poor posture, jaw pain (TMJ/TMD), headaches/migraines, difficulty swallowing, and even snoring or sleep apnea.
Your Guide to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy: First Visit & Beyond
- Initial assessment and evaluation
Your physical therapist will begin by reviewing your medical history. This helps them understand any existing conditions or concerns that may be influencing your orofacial function. They may ask about issues such as:
- Breathing habits (like mouth breathing, breath holding, shortness of breath)
- Jaw pain or clicking
- Swallowing difficulties
- Sleep disturbances (like snoring or sleep apnea)
- Dental history and previous orthodontia
Expect your therapist to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your mouth, jaw, tongue, lips, and facial muscles. They’ll observe how you breathe, chew, swallow, and move your jaw and tongue. This thorough assessment helps them identify specific issues and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
- Hands-on treatment and exercises
Orofacial myofunctional therapy can include hands-on treatment as well as specific exercises. Manual therapy can include work on the muscles and tissues inside and outside your mouth, as well as work on the tissues and joints of your neck. The Physical Therapist will guide you through various exercises to strengthen and relax specific muscles in the face, tongue, and jaw. The exercise will also teach these muscles to better work together to support your body and overall function.
These exercises may include:
- Tongue exercises: To improve tongue posture, strength and coordination.
- Jaw exercises: To improve jaw mobility, improve movement control, and reduce pain or clicking.
- Breathing exercises: To promote proper nasal breathing, teach proper pace and depth of breath, and identify times when breathing changes.
- Swallowing techniques: To ensure you are swallowing efficiently and without strain or compensations. Physical Therapists do not address choking, which would be worked on with a Speech Pathologist.
- Posture correction: to better align the body for more efficient use when still and when moving.
These exercises will be done both in-office and at home as part of your therapy plan. It is very important that the exercises are done at home consistently and often.
- Education on tongue position, posture, and breathing
Your therapist will explain:
- Proper resting position of the tongue
- Why nasal breathing is better than mouth breathing
- How forward head posture and tongue down posture influence each other
- The importance of avoiding oral habits like nail biting, chewing on pens, biting inside of cheek, sucking on lips, etc
- The relationship between the jaw and airway
Understanding the ‘why’ behind these topics will help you stay motivated and make lasting changes.
- Collaborative care with other healthcare providers
If necessary, your therapist may work alongside other healthcare providers, such as dentists, orthodontists, speech pathologist, chiropractor, massage therapist, Doctor of Osteopathy, or others. For example, if you have a tongue tie or other structural issue that affects your treatment, your physical therapist may suggest a referral to a dentist or oral surgeon. Likewise, if your condition involves speech difficulties, your therapist may recommend working in tandem with a speech therapist to ensure comprehensive care.
- Regular follow-up sessions
Orofacial myofunctional therapy is usually a gradual process. Expect regular follow-up appointments with your therapist, typically weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your specific condition and progress.
These sessions give you the opportunity to:
- Review your progress and address any concerns
- Learn new exercises or modify existing ones based on your advancement
- Track any improvements in your symptoms (such as reduced jaw pain, better sleep quality, or improved swallowing)
- Provide manual therapy as needed to address alignment, tissue tension, and pain
Your therapist will provide ongoing support and adjustments to your therapy plan to ensure you’re on track to achieving your goals.
- Patience and persistence are key
It’s important to keep in mind that orofacial myofunctional therapy is not a quick fix. It requires patience, consistency, and commitment. Most people see improvements over the course of several months, as you work to re-train the muscles in your face, mouth, and jaw.
By following your therapist’s instructions, practicing at home, and maintaining regular appointments, you’ll be taking important steps toward better orofacial health.
At Therapeutic Associates, we have many expert Physical Therapists who are trained and certified on OMT. They are also experts in manual therapy, breathing dysfunctions, and treatment of many disorders of the head and neck. Combining all of these skills together has allowed them to help people feel better faster and for those improvements to last for a very long time, if not forever.
If you’re ready to address your orofacial concerns and improve your overall quality of life, OMT may be the solution you’ve been searching for. Reach out today to schedule your appointment and start your journey toward better health!
If you are not sure if OMT is right for you, you can learn more by reading this blog: What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)?
Unlock the power of OMT
OMT can transform the way you breathe, sleep, and live. By retraining the muscles of your face, tongue, and throat, OMT helps you conquer challenges like tongue thrust, poor posture, sleep challenges (including snoring and apnea), headaches/migraines, difficulty swallowing and jaw pain. Start living better today!
