PGH OMT Blog

There are two ways to intake air: through the nose or the mouth. While mouth breathing is an acceptable way to breathe, breathing through the nose is the best way to bring air into the body. Nose Breathing Benefits Some of the benefits of nose breathing include...

I hear of people searching online for videos and lists of orofacial myofunctional therapy exercises, so they can treat their own orofacial myofunctional disorders (like tongue thrusting) at home, without the help of a professional. I understand the importance of...

Good oral rest position involves: Tongue up on the palate Lips closure Nasal breathing Slight space between the upper and lower teeth According to new research, one way to evaluate an individual’s ability to nasal breathe is to have him or her breathe through the nose...

If a frenectomy, frenotomy, or frenuloplasty is in the future of you or your child, it’s important to line up your pre- and post-procedural care well in advance. Scrambling to find help post-procedurally can be stressful, and it’s often hard to find a well-qualified...

Braces are a major investment of both time and money, and believe it or not, some people have to go through the process multiple times. In my practice, I’ve treated patients who have gone through up to THREE rounds of braces! THREE!!! 😱 Why is it that some people need...

There’s no problem with choosing to give your child a pacifier, but did you know that it’s recommended that children be weaned from it within the 2nd 6 months of life? This is important for a few reasons: Pacifier use beyond 6 months has been associated with an...

Have you heard that Alyssa Stiles, BS, RDH, LMT, COM, CLC and Sarah Klein, RN, IBCLC have teamed up to offer services for infants with breastfeeding difficulties?! Here’s what we have to offer: Lactation Counseling Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs)-savvy lactation...

I’m committed to learning, so I can maximize the potential of my patients. I’ve already exceeded the continuing education requirements for all relevant licensure and certifications that I hold. When you’re looking for a myofunctional therapist, choose one who values...

I find that people often conflate orofacial myofunctional therapy and myofascial release. They are two different things, but there is some overlap. Orofacial myofunctional therapy is a hierarchical series of exercises and activities to establish the habituation of...

Humans swallow over 500 times a day. The effects of improper use of the facial muscles during swallowing can be cumulative. Long-term, untreated orofacial muscle dysfunction could cause a number of issues, including dental malocclusions, collapse of dental arches,...

For individuals of all ages, it’s important to prepare for a frenectomy with stretches and/or exercises BEFORE AND AFTER the procedure . Here are a few reasons why. For babies: By having us teach the caregivers stretches beforehand, you can turn the process into a...