Myofunctional Coaching for Youth and Adults
Neuromuscular re-education of the head, neck and throat muscles.
Myofunctional Coaching for Youth & Adults
​What Is Myofunctional Coaching?
Myofunctional coaching is a whole-face approach to helping kids and adults build strong, healthy foundations for nasal breathing, correct tongue posture, lip seal, and correct swallow pattern. During this evaluation, we take a close look at how the tongue, lips, and facial muscles work together to support optimal breathing, chewing, swallowing, and clear speech.
For clients ages 2 and up, we utilize a “Picnic Evaluation” and have you bring food and drink during your initial appointment, so we can observe everyday eating and drinking.
We find that many infants up through adults have established a series of bad habits that create poor function which directly affects the muscles and their strength. Our coaches provide a full anatomical evaluation and then create a custom plan for each client.
Oral Motor Dysfunction: How Does It Create Problems?
-
Poor facial growth to support a healthy airway.
-
Dental problems such as crowding, increase rise of cavities, enamel wear on teeth from clenching or grinding, periodontal disease
-
Increased risk of Sleep disordered breathing including Sleep apnea Chronic pain with TMJ, neck, shoulders, headaches etc.
-
Most people will swallow 800 to 2000 times daily. The tongue exerts one to six pounds of pressure on the surrounding structures.
-
Tongue thrust swallows can create deformities vs. a normal swallow which does not.​​
​What to Expect in a Session
​​
-
Assessment & Observation: Our coach will guide the child or adult through a series of gentle assessments to observe oral habits, muscle function, and posture.
-
Hands-On Coaching: Using safe, gentle exercises, we guide you or your child through activities that strengthen and coordinate the mouth, tongue, and jaw.
-
Session Time: Evaluations last 45-60 minutes for oral motor or myofunctional assessments and up to 30 minutes for follow ups. For children over 2, families should bring the Picnic Evaluation items for a comprehensive assessment.
Important Note to Parents
Parents play a vital role in their child’s progress, which is why we provide guidance and training on activities to reinforce therapy sessions at home. This collaborative approach helps maintain and enhance your child’s improvement beyond the clinic.
​
A parent or guardian must be present for in-person and virtual appointments for anyone under 18 unless prior approval has been given. To ensure your child receives the full benefit of their session, it is helpful when one parent can focus entirely on the appointment, creating a calm, distraction-free environment that maximizes therapeutic outcomes.
​
We will do our best to accommodate families when siblings must attend. However, for the most effective session, undivided attention on the client can make a meaningful difference in their progress.
Commitment to Myofunctional Coaching
MyoFunctional Coaching is more than just a couple of sessions — it’s a neuromuscular process. This means we’re working to train your muscles and muscle groups to function together in harmony, focusing on proper tongue posture, a functional swallow, and overall strength and tone.
-
Evaluation 45 min to 60 min
-
Intensive Phase: 8 consistent weekly follow ups: Book out after the evaluation. If you can’t find the appt day/time/location you need, book out further and then ask us to add you to the waiting list by providing us with your ideal availability. We may consider virtual appts for ages 3.5 yo and up if determined best option.
-
Habituation Phase: (Sessions 9-12) - Every 2 weeks for 2-4 sessions
-
Retention Phase: (Sessions 13-15) -Every 3 weeks for 2-3 sessions then every (Sessions 15-18) - Every 4 weeks for 2-3 sessions
-
Graduation: Coach will determine when myofunctional health has been achieved.
-
Yearly check-ins as recommended by the coach.
Oral Tie Release
Utilizing myofunctional coaching prior to oral tie release helps ensure:
-
Better outcomes and smoother recovery
-
Less risk with airway obstruction
-
Less pain and minimal bleeding during and after the procedure
-
A reduced risk of post-release re-attachment or restriction
If oral tie releases are recommended, we will send clients to one of our preferred providers for their evaluation and/or collaborate with your provider of choice. The release itself doesn’t automatically correct function — the myofunctional/oral motor coaching guides your muscles to work properly both before and after the procedure. Once we consistently see all functions being demonstrated correctly, we can confidently move forward with the release.
After the procedure, therapy will continue to reinforce these new patterns, prevent restriction, and support long-term, healthy tongue function.
​
We truly want the best results for you and are here to support you every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to share any thoughts or ask questions — your progress matters to us!
Locations and Pricing
​Locations
-
Chelsea: Franklin, Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro
-
Erica: Mt. Juliet, Franklin, Virtual
-
Lindsey: Virtual
​Pricing
Myofunctional Session Pricing:
New Client Intake: (45-60 min) - $250
Follow Up Sessions: (20-30 min) - $90 per visit
​​​​​​
For ages 2 and up, please remember to bring your food for the Picnic Evaluation.
