Ithaca Myofunctional Therapy

08/27/2025

It’s more common than you think, and it’s not always “just a phase.”
Sometimes, bedwetting is linked to how your child is breathing while they sleep.

Mouth breathing, snoring, or airway issues can disrupt deep sleep and even affect bladder control.

Myofunctional therapy helps retrain the tongue, lips, and facial muscles to support proper breathing and better sleep.

By addressing the root cause, we’re not just helping your child stay dry—we’re supporting overall health, growth, and development.

If your child struggles with nighttime accidents, it might be time to look at the airway first.

08/27/2025

TMJ pain, jaw stiffness, or morning soreness can be more than just “stress.”

One often overlooked contributor is airway-related grinding and clenching. At night, your body may unconsciously tighten the jaw or shift the mandible to keep the airway open, putting extra stress on the TMJ.

Other factors can also play a role: your bite, dental appliances, or even hormonal imbalances.

Myofunctional therapy is one of several ways to address TMD—it focuses on retraining the muscles of the tongue, face, and jaw to support proper function and relieve strain.

If you wake with jaw tension, clenching, or pain, a myofunctional assessment could help uncover the root cause and guide treatment.

08/27/2025

Good question! Generally, children are ready for a full myofunctional therapy program around ages 5–7, but every child is different. Some 9-year-olds aren’t quite ready, and we’ve seen 4-year-olds excel!

For younger children (3+), we offer Mini Myo Programs—shorter, simpler exercises designed to get them started without the demands of a full program. Twice-a-day practice and attention to detail come later, when they’re ready to fully participate. 💪👅

Starting early can make a big difference in breathing, tongue posture, and oral development, so it’s never too soon to explore!

08/27/2025

Sometimes little habits can make a big difference in your rest—consistent sleep schedule, a calm bedtime routine, limiting screens, keeping your sleep space dark and quiet…and proper tongue placement achieved through myofunctional therapy.

Our sleep isn’t truly restorative when the tongue falls into the airway - leading to grinding, clenching, snoring, and sleep apnea. All of these keep us from entering deep sleep, so we don’t get the rest we need to reset and regenerate.

Sleep hygiene aims to enhance sleep quality from all angles—habits, environment, and airway health.

Better habits = better sleep. 🌙

06/29/2025

What used to be considered "early" evaluation is now the standard — and sometimes an even earlier check-up is needed!

🦷 It’s so important your child regularly sees an airway-focused dentist who monitors jaw development, checks for tongue and lip ties, and is asking questions about sleep and breathing.

🚩 If they notice red flags, they may recommend seeing an orthodontist even before age 7.

✨ Most orthodontists offer free initial assessments, including imaging...so what do you have to lose?!

06/19/2025

Check out our new blog post on the jaw and airway epidemic.

This post discusses how processed foods are affecting the way our orofacial complex develops, and consequently affects our breathing, sleep, oral development, jaw health and overall wellness.

>>> ithacamyo.com/blog

10/14/2024

Join us at the Nutritional Wellness Center on Thursday, November 21st! We’ll have a variety of information, tools, and interactive assessments for you and your family. Discover how we can support you in improving your breathing, sleep, and orofacial development through functional exercise therapy. We look forward to seeing you!
https://www.facebook.com/Nutritionalwellnesscenterofithaca

05/01/2024

happy anniversary, Ithaca Myo!!!

Ithaca Myofunctional Therapy is now open! visit us at ithacamyo.com