Myofunctional Therapy
The Missing Link in Your Health Journey
You’ve tried the night guards, the braces, the sleep studies.
And yet… you’re still clenching. Still tired. Still wondering what’s missing.
Or maybe you’re a parent, concerned about your child’s open-mouth breathing, restless sleep, or crowded teeth. Yet no one seems to be offering real answers.
We’re here to change that.
Why A Myofunctional Therapist Matters?
The way your muscles function especially those of the tongue, lips, jaw, and airway plays a critical role in how you breathe, sleep, and function every day. When these muscles are not working properly, they can contribute to poor breathing patterns, disrupted sleep, fatigue, and long-term health concerns.
At Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center, we understand that muscle function and airway health are closely connected. Myofunctional therapy focuses on correcting improper muscle habits and retraining the oral and facial muscles to support healthier breathing and more restorative sleep.
Improper oral posture, mouth breathing, and dysfunctional swallowing patterns can place stress on the airway and impact sleep quality over time. Addressing these issues early helps support proper airway function, improves sleep efficiency, and enhances overall wellness.
Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center integrates myofunctional therapy into personalized care plans for long-term results. By improving muscle coordination and breathing patterns, patients often enjoy better sleep, more energy, and a higher quality of life.
Myofunctional therapy supports healthy breathing, better sleep, and overall wellness by improving muscle function.
Signs You May Benefit from Myofunctional Therapy
You or your child may benefit from OMT if you’ve noticed:
- Open-mouth posture during rest or sleep
- Frequent snoring, teeth grinding, or jaw clenching
- Trouble focusing, especially in school-aged children
- Forward head posture or chronic neck and shoulder tension
- Dark circles under the eyes (often called “allergic shiners”)
- A history of orthodontic treatment with relapse or shifting
- Speech articulation issues or tongue thrust
- Crowded teeth, narrow palate, or mouth breathing
- Bedwetting or restless sleep in children
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
If these signs sound familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re not without options.
What Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
We Help With:
- Mouth breathing
- Clenching and grinding
- Snoring and disrupted sleep
- Headaches, fatigue, poor posture
- Jaw tension and TMJ pain
- Orthodontic relapse
- Behavioral and focus concerns in children
- Tongue thrust and oral restrictions (commonly known as tongue- or lip-ties)
- Speech challenges related to tongue posture and function (note: OMT supports tongue placement and muscle coordination, but is not a substitute for speech therapy). Our myofunctional therapists collaborate with speech-language pathologists when appropriate to ensure comprehensive care.
How It Works: Three Core Pillars
Move
Breathe
Swallow
Who Can Benefit
- Children with tongue ties, speech delays, mouth breathing, bedwetting, or behavioral concerns
- Teens undergoing orthodontic treatment or struggling with headaches, fatigue, or posture issues
- Adults with TMJ discomfort, poor sleep, anxiety, or functional breathing challenges
- Seniors interested in preserving airway health, facial muscle tone, and quality sleep
Whether it is prevention or intervention, myofunctional therapy offers lasting results.
Why It Works
Myofunctional Therapy can help:
- Improve sleep quality and energy
- Reduce or eliminate snoring and clenching
- Relieve jaw pain, headaches, and neck tension
- Enhance focus, digestion, and speech
- Support orthodontic and airway stability
- Calm the body by improving breathing mechanics
When the tongue is in the right place and nasal breathing is restored, the entire body benefits.
What to Expect
Your journey begins with a Discovery Call to explore your goals and determine fit.
Then our myofunctional therapists begin with a full 90-minute assessment to evaluate:
- Tongue and lip posture
- Nasal breathing and body oxygen level test
- Oral habits, swallowing function, and facial tone
- Head and neck posture
- Sleep Habits
- Deep dive into the backstory to get to the root cause
From there, you will receive a custom plan including:
- 45-minute sessions every other week
- Functional exercises tailored to your needs
- Progress tracking through photos, logs and sleep test
- Optional collaboration with dental, body workers, ear/nose/throat professionals, and speech professionals
How Myofunctional Therapy for Adults Supports Airway Health?
Healthy airway function is essential for proper breathing, quality sleep, and overall wellness. At Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center, myofunctional therapy is used as a foundational approach to support airway health by addressing the muscles of the face, mouth, tongue, and throat that play a critical role in breathing—both day and night.
Improving Tongue Posture and Airway Space
The position of the tongue directly affects the size and stability of the airway. When the tongue rests too low or falls backward during sleep, it can narrow the airway and restrict airflow. Myofunctional therapy retrains the tongue to rest in a healthier position, helping to keep the airway more open and supported.
Encouraging Nasal Breathing
Nasal breathing is essential for proper oxygen intake and airway stability. Myofunctional therapy helps patients transition from mouth breathing to nasal breathing by strengthening and coordinating the muscles involved in breathing. At Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center, this focus on nasal breathing supports improved sleep quality and overall airway function.
Strengthening Airway Muscles
Weak or uncoordinated oral and throat muscles can contribute to airway collapse during sleep. Myofunctional therapy uses targeted exercises to improve muscle tone and function, helping the airway remain more stable during rest and sleep.
Supporting Better Sleep and Reduced Disruptions
By improving muscle function, posture, and breathing patterns, myofunctional therapy supports more consistent airflow during sleep. Patients often experience fewer breathing disruptions, reduced snoring, and more restorative sleep as airway health improves.
A Whole-Body Approach at Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center
At Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center, myofunctional therapy is part of a comprehensive approach to airway and sleep care. By addressing the root causes of airway dysfunction, we help patients build healthier breathing patterns that support long-term sleep health and overall wellness.
Why Choose Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center?
When it comes to improving breathing, sleep quality, and oral function, choosing the right provider matters. Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center is home to experienced myofunctional therapists in Reno, Nevada, offering personalized, evidence-based care designed to support long-term health and wellness.
Experienced Myofunctional Therapists in Reno, Nevada
At Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center, our trained myofunctional therapists specialize in evaluating and retraining the muscles of the face, mouth, and airway. As trusted myofunctional therapists in Reno, Nevada, we focus on proper breathing, tongue posture, swallowing, and muscle balance to address the root causes of dysfunction, not just the symptoms.
Specialized Myofunctional Therapy for Adults
Many adults struggle with breathing and sleep issues without realizing muscle function plays a key role. Our myofunctional therapy for adults is designed to help with concerns such as snoring, sleep-disordered breathing, jaw tension, clenching, and poor oral posture. Each therapy plan is customized to fit your lifestyle and health goals.
Whole-Body, Wellness-Focused Care
Unlike standalone therapy clinics, Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center takes a comprehensive approach. Myofunctional therapy is integrated into our broader sleep and airway care model, allowing us to support better sleep, improved breathing, and overall wellness in a coordinated way.
Personalized Treatment Plans
No two patients are alike. At Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center, every myofunctional therapy plan is personalized based on a thorough evaluation and your specific needs. Our goal is to provide effective, realistic therapy that delivers long-term results.
Supportive, Patient-Centered Experience
We believe education and support are essential for success. Our myofunctional therapists in Reno, Nevada guide you through each step of therapy, ensuring you feel confident, informed, and empowered throughout your care journey.
Begin Your Journey to Better Health
You deserve to feel your best. And sometimes, the first step is understanding that how your body functions—from the way you breathe to how you swallow—affects everything from your energy to your sleep.
If you or your child have been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or left searching for answers, you’re not alone. Our myofunctional therapists are here to connect the dots and offer a path forward.
Let’s uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface. Then we can begin to restore balance from the inside out.
The way you breathe is the way you live. Reclaim your energy, your sleep, and your well-being—starting today.
Credentials and Training
You’re in trusted hands. Niki Hane brings a deep commitment to excellence and continued education in the field of orofacial myofunctional therapy. Her professional training includes:
- Qualified Orofacial Myologist, Neo Health Services (2021)
- Certified in Buteyko Breathing Method (2022)
- Myo Mentor Graduate (2022)
- Integrative Sleep Coach Graduate (2023)
- The Breathe Institute Ambassador, Breathe (2022)
- The Breathe Institute Ambassador, Baby Breathe (2022)
- Living Light Metabolic Reset Coach (2024)
- Barbara Green 18 hr Intro to OMT (2019)
- Center for Pediatric Sleep Management Consultants (Current)
Niki is also a featured guest on the “Beyond Breathing” podcast, where she shares her expertise in airway health and integrative healing. Listen to the episode here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does myofunctional therapy focus on?
Myofunctional therapy focuses on retraining the muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks, and face to function properly. These muscles influence breathing, swallowing, posture, and sleep, making proper coordination essential for overall health.
Why are oral and facial muscles important for breathing?
The muscles of the mouth and face help support the airway. When these muscles are weak or uncoordinated, breathing patterns, especially during sleep, can be affected. Improving muscle function helps support healthier airflow.
Is myofunctional therapy suitable for all ages?
Yes. This therapy can be beneficial for both children and adults. Programs are adapted based on age and individual needs to ensure exercises are safe, effective, and easy to follow.
What types of issues may be addressed with this therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is often recommended for mouth breathing, poor tongue posture, clenching, snoring, speech-related concerns, and disrupted sleep patterns. It may also support overall oral and airway function.
What does a therapy program usually include?
A program typically includes an initial evaluation followed by guided exercises tailored to the individual. Patients receive ongoing support and progress checks to ensure exercises are being performed correctly and effectively.
Do exercises need to be done at home?
Yes. Home practice is an important part of therapy. Exercises are usually brief and easy to complete, and consistency plays a major role in achieving lasting improvements.
How quickly can progress be seen?
Progress varies from person to person. Some individuals notice changes within a few weeks, while others experience gradual improvement over several months, depending on consistency and individual needs.
Can this therapy be combined with other care options?
Yes. Myofunctional therapy is often used as part of a broader care plan and can complement other treatments focused on breathing, oral health, or sleep improvement.
Is special equipment required?
No special equipment is usually needed. Most exercises rely on simple movements and awareness techniques that can be practiced anywhere.
How do I know if this therapy is right for me or my child?
An evaluation is the best way to determine suitability. A personalized assessment helps identify muscle patterns and breathing habits to determine whether myofunctional therapy may be beneficial.