How does Myofunctional Therapy Relate to
Chronic Pain?
Many of those who suffer from Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) also suffer from chronic pain such as Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders, Headaches and Migraines, and overall Myofascial Tension in the neck, shoulders and back.
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Here are a couple of examples of ways that OMDs relate to Chronic Pain:
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1) Mouth Breathing and Open Mouth Resting Posture tend to lead to poor facial growth, narrow jaws and unbalance of the bite. These habits also often lead to poor head and neck posture, as well as inefficient oxygen uptake to the body.
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2) For those with restricted tongue mobility (Tongue Ties), movements of the tongue require increased effort and compensations of the muscles of the jaw, face and neck. The chronic overuse or disuse of these muscles can lead to chronic pain.
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Like most health concerns, chronic pain requires a multidisciplinary approach. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy can play a role in treating these issues by addressing orofacial muscle dysfunctions. Schedule a Myofunctional Consult to learn more.
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