Orofacial Myology Therapy in Charlotte & Raleigh
What is Orofacial Myology Therapy?
Orofacial Myology or Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy focuses on the function and coordination of the muscles of the mouth and face and how they relate to speech, breathing, chewing, swallowing, oral habits, and dental development.
At ACT Therapy Services, we look at how these patterns may be affecting a child or adult's everyday function and develop an individualized treatment plan based on their specific needs.
Orofacial myology therapy may help individuals:
- Reduce tongue thrust
- Improve articulation and speech intelligibility
- Improve chewing, oral movement of food, and swallowing
- Support nasal breathing with the mouth closed
- Support stability following orthodontic treatment
- Eliminate oral habits such as thumb sucking, pacifier use, or nail biting
What Does Orofacial Myology Therapy Look Like at ACT?
1. Comprehensive Evaluation
Understanding how oral function may be impacting everyday life
Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your or your child's individual needs. We look at areas such as oral and facial muscle function and how they relate to speech, chewing, swallowing, breathing, oral habits, and dental development.
Based on the evaluation, your therapist identifies areas that may benefit from intervention and develops individualized goals and recommendations.
When additional support is needed, we may recommend collaboration with other professionals, such as an ENT, dentist, orthodontist, sleep physician, or bodyworker, as part of the treatment process.
Evaluate → Identify contributing factors → Create an individualized plan
2. Parent & Family Partnership
Helping new skills become part of everyday routines
Orofacial myology therapy isn't limited to what happens during an appointment. Developing new patterns and habits requires consistency outside of the therapy room, which makes family understanding and participation an important part of the process.
We help families understand what we're working on, why it matters, and how to incorporate recommended activities into everyday routines in a manageable way.
ACT's Family Partnership Program includes a dedicated Myofunctional Pathway. Families learn how oral function connects with areas such as breathing, sleep, speech, and development, as well as how to support home exercises, establish healthy oral habits, and communicate with other professionals involved in their child's care.
Understand → Practice → Build healthy habits
3. Ongoing Weekly Support
Building new patterns with individualized, collaborative care
Orofacial myology services may be provided weekly or monthly, depending on individual needs. During ongoing treatment, your therapist works toward established goals while monitoring progress and adjusting the treatment plan as skills develop.
Because oral function can involve multiple areas, treatment may also include communication and collaboration with other professionals involved in your or your child's care.
For families participating in the Family Partnership Program, additional support can extend beyond appointments through therapist strategy calls, messaging access, individualized resources, and an in-home or school session.
Our goal is to help new skills become functional, sustainable habits that carry over into everyday life.
Practice → Collaborate → Monitor progress → Build lasting habits