Common Referrals in Myofunctional Therapy

When there is a diagnosis of a myofunctional disorder, it can be kind of confusing. Sometimes, your therapist might refer you to many different providers. We understand this can be overwhelming and that is why we wrote this blog post to educate about the different providers that we often refer to. When we make a referral for a patient, it is so we can get the most accurate picture of a child and so we can provide the best services possible. We are here to help you advocate for your child. Check out the most common referrals we make when we are treating a myofunctional disorder. 

Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor: 

When treating a myofunctional disorder, we want to rule out any concerns related to the airway. This might include having a provider look at tonsils/adenoids. They also might look at any other structural differences that may be a contributing factor to sleep disordered breathing. 

Craniosacral Therapy: 

We often refer to craniosacral therapy to release tension that may be occuring with a myofunctional disorder. If the tongue or other facial muscles are not being used appropriately, other muscles may be recruited to compensate; therefore, leading to tension in the body. Some hotspots for tension may include the shoulders and neck regions. Craniosacral therapy uses gentle touch/pressure to release tension in the body. It is a great compliment to myofunctional therapy. Some craniosacral therapists may also be able to work directly in the mouth releasing tension associated with the oral structures. 

Chiropractor:

A chiropractor is also an integral part of the myofunctional team. It’s a bit different from craniosacral therapy. Chiropractor care most often uses more forceful manipulations to align the spine. Chiropractors use various interventions to improve your body’s function. Chiropractic care can assist with many different things including posture, anxiety, tension and more. This can be another great treatment in adjunct with myofunctional therapy. 

Dentist/Orthodontist: 

Your therapist might also refer you to a dentist, especially one that is airway centered. A dentist trained to assess and diagnose tongue ties is critical when working on a myofunctional team. We might also refer to a dentist to rule out concerns related to the jaw joint. An orthodontist is another member of the team. We may refer to an orthodontist to speak about palatal expansion if this is a contributing factor to the myofunctional disorder. When the palate is high and narrow, the tongue might be unable to fully rest in its correct position and can restrict the airway. This can lead to issues with feeding, swallowing and breathing. 

If you have any questions pertaining to the information above, we can provide a consultation and speak with you about your concerns. We are here to support you and advocate for you and your family. We look forward to meeting you!