NorthlandOFM is the leading independent Orofacial Myofunctional practice in New Zealand

Make a booking

NorthlandOFM 
is the leading
Orofacial Myology
practice in
New Zealand

Make a booking

We offer proactive, quality healthcare in a safe and non-clinical environment with a therapist who is qualified to work in the field of myofunctional therapy with options for teletherapy being available.

​Your orofacial health is our number one priority so allow it to be yours.

​What is orofacial myology?

  • ​Correct function of oral and facial muscles is paramount for facial development including tooth alignment, jaw shape and function. Function to eat, drink, swallow, sleep and breath well.
  • Orofacial Myology is the practice of restoring normal and mutual interaction of the muscles of the face and mouth, definition and respiration which is the basis of speaking, chewing and swallowing.
  • It is a programme of exercises for the tongue, lips, and cheeks designed to correct muscle dysfunction and abnormal swallowing patterns and return your body to the way Mother Nature intended it to be.
  • We offer Video link packages for those living further afield or rurally and work with other clinicians who may be treating you.

Who would benefit from orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) and ‘Tongue Exercises’?

People come to me for a range of issues as muscles of the face and mouth can affect some much of our oral and general health. Clients can be referred by dental or general practitioners or self-refer because they seek help that is due to poor muscle use. OMT works on those muscles.

  • Breath through my mouth or a bit of both, mouth and nose?
  • Your tongue lies on the floor of the mouth?
  • Had or have any oral habits, e.g. thumb or finger sucking, dummy, blanket, etc?
  • Habits such as nail biting, cheek and lip biting, clothes chewing and grinding of teeth?
  • Restricted airway, which can be due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a narrow or high palate, a large tongue, an over-sized uvula and/or allergies?
  • Snoring?
  • Frequent night-time urination?
  • Any speech issues the speech therapist is unsuccessful with?
  • Problems with the Temporal mandibular Joint clicking/popping/hurting?
  • Tongue tie?
  • Neurological or developmental abnormalities? 
  • Hereditary predisposition to some of the above factors?

In most cases it is the result of a combination of factors, and may result in any of the following:

  • Tongue thrusting
  • Incorrect tongue position
  • Crooked teeth
  • Crowded mouths
  • Mouth breathing
  • Poor posture
  • Incorrect chewing function
  • Altered speech patterns
  • Jaw/ TMJ dysfunction/ and/or pain
  • Asymmetrical lip appearance and function
  • Asymmetrical facial appearance and function

Therapy starts by evaluating and treating patients with oromyofunctional disorders or anomalies and thus correcting poor muscle function of the lips, tongue, face and neck. Habits are formed over a lifetime and they do have long lasting health effects. 

The therapy consists of exercises performed twice a day for 5 minutes with appointments set every two or three weeks. With cooperation and commitment a typical course of treatment takes approximately 9 visits for children and occasionally longer for adults. The therapy is non-invasive, gentle and works entirely with the patient and their capabilities.

No, not when you look at the long-term cost of appointments with your bodyworkers(chiropractors, osteopaths etc), dentists, orthodontists who are treating the signs and symptoms of your OMD. Once your orofacial muscles are able to work in sync with your body those practitioners work is going to be far more effective; and stay working. You are paying for a qualified Orofacial Myology practitioner who holds certification and indemnity insurance in order to work independently.