Swallowing & Digestion

Myofunctional therapy is a useful adjunctive therapy to digestive issues if the issue is caused by aerophagia (swallowing too much air). We focus on rapid eating behaviors, difficulty/inadequate manipulation of food, acid reflux, erosion of enamel, excessive belching, heartburn, etc. Correcting swallowing patterns will aid in digestion relief for clients.

Did you know that acid reflux is the third most common GI disorder in the United States? Acid reflux and GERO have common overlapping symptoms such as bad breath, belching, and heartburn.

When a correct swallowing pattern is created, it causes more force for the initiation of the swallow. This forceful start will help whatever is being swallowed to move further into the stomach and not get stuck in the esophagus, which could allow for potential reflux. Myofunctional Therapy will focus on exercises designed to lift the soft palate and correct tongue placement to allow for a correct swallowing pattern.