Archway Orofacial Myology

Archway Orofacial Myology Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Services

04/08/2026

As a myofunctional therapist who works a LOT with kids, this 10-second habit before bed is a total game changer 👏

Some parents know their child struggles with breathing — open mouth posture, snoring, loud breathing.
But other kids? They’re the sneaky ones.

They breathe shallow.
They adapt.
They sit in that forward head posture.
And they hide it well.

So we assume their breathing is fine… when it’s not.

✨ Here’s your nightly check (takes 10 seconds):
1️⃣ Block one side of the nose
2️⃣ Inhale through the nose (like smelling a flower 🌸)
3️⃣ Exhale through the nose (like blowing out a candle 🕯️… but with the nose)
4️⃣ Repeat on the other side

You’re listening for: silent, smooth airflow
🚩 Whistling
🚩 Congestion sounds
🚩 Struggle or restriction

If you hear it — that’s information. And information is power.

👉 What to do next:
• Encourage nose blowing (one side at a time)
• Use saline nasal spray on each side
• Do this every day — it sets them up for better sleep than if they had restriction
• If there’s a complete blockage, have your primary health care provider take a look — they may refer to ENT
• If ongoing congestion or mouth breathing is constant, schedule an Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation

Small habit. Big impact. Better sleep, better breathing, better development.

I’ve been noticing more and more families asking about tonsil & adenoid surgery 👃💤 — and it’s no surprise! Removal of en...
03/31/2026

I’ve been noticing more and more families asking about tonsil & adenoid surgery 👃💤 — and it’s no surprise! Removal of enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids (adenotonsillectomy) is widely used as a first‑line surgical treatment for pediatric obstructive breathing issues 🏥 because it can significantly improve airway obstruction and sleep-related symptoms. According to a comprehensive review, tonsillectomy/adenotonsillectomy represents more than 15 % of all surgical procedures in children under 15 years old 📊 — mostly for airway and sleep-disordered breathing reasons.
📖 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424040/

That said, research shows that persistent symptoms — including mouth breathing 😮‍💨, snoring 💤, or OSA — can still occur after surgery. In one pediatric study, about 15 % of children continued to have symptoms like mouth breathing four months after adenotonsillectomy 🕒, especially when factors like allergic rhinitis 🌿 or other airway challenges were present.
📖 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39100070/

This isn’t about “surgery failing” ❌ — it’s about understanding that breathing habits, muscle patterns, and orofacial function don’t automatically reset 💡 just because the obstruction is reduced. Long-term mouth breathing, weak tongue posture 👅, and poor coordination still need attention for lasting change.

That’s where myofunctional therapy 🧠💪 comes in. Research shows that targeted exercises to strengthen the face, tongue, and airway muscles can support better breathing patterns, reduce mouth breathing, and make both pre- and post-surgical outcomes more successful.
📖 https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-myofunctional-therapy-3015256

➡ Swipe through to learn how breathing works, why habits persist, and what you can do at home 🏡 and long-term to support your child’s breathing after surgery!

I’ve noticed so many more parents and adults learning about tongue ties lately—and asking about getting them “released.”...
03/30/2026

I’ve noticed so many more parents and adults learning about tongue ties lately—and asking about getting them “released.” 👅

A tongue tie release (sometimes called a frenectomy or laser release) frees the tongue from a restriction, but it doesn’t automatically fix how the tongue moves, rests, or functions. That means things like swallowing, speech, breathing, and tongue posture won’t change on their own.

This is why it’s so important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture before going under the laser. Things like tongue strength, muscle coordination, and proper resting posture can make all the difference in long-term results—and pre-op myofunctional therapy is often key.

Swipe through to see 5 important things to consider before moving forward. Taking the time to prepare your tongue means your release is not just a quick fix, but a step toward lasting improvements in function and health. 💙

If you’re ready to take the next step, you can schedule a comprehensive myofunctional evaluation—virtually for Ontario & Quebec, or in person if you’re local to Manotick, Ontario.

Myo and orthodontics work best when they work together—research shows it, and my experience confirms it. As a myofunctio...
09/25/2025

Myo and orthodontics work best when they work together—research shows it, and my experience confirms it. As a myofunctional therapist, it’s taken me years to feel confident that I’m truly making a difference for my patients.

I owe huge credit to Melissa Mugno for her mentorship in ortho and myo.

📣She’s kindly agreed to join me LIVE this Sunday, Sept 28 at 8pm ET to share some amazing insights on how myofunctional therapy can be optimized.

👇🏻Drop your questions for Melissa below!!👇🏻

She also has an upcoming course—DM me if you want the details!

📊 80% of people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed — could you be one of them?The truth is: CPAP isn’t the only option.Sle...
05/06/2025

📊 80% of people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed — could you be one of them?

The truth is: CPAP isn’t the only option.
Sleep apnea is multifactorial, and myofunctional therapy is a powerful (but often overlooked) piece of the puzzle.

✨ In fact, studies show myofunctional therapy can reduce AHI by up to 50% in adults and 62% in children when practiced consistently.

We help adults connect the dots — from symptoms to structure to solutions.

👃 Chronic mouth breathing?
😴 Waking up tired?
🧠 Brain fog, clenching, or “mild” snoring?
These aren’t random — and they’re worth exploring.

✨ Ready for answers?
🔹 Ontario & Quebec: Book a Myofunctional Assessment or Q+A Consult
🔹 International: Join us for an Airway Guidance Call — available worldwide

You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis to take action. Your airway matters.
👉 Start with the link in our bio to take the first step.

We’re often told that things like snoring, mouth breathing, or picky eating are “just a phase.” But as awareness around ...
05/05/2025

We’re often told that things like snoring, mouth breathing, or picky eating are “just a phase.” But as awareness around airway health grows, we’re learning that these signs can indicate underlying dysfunction — and early guidance can make all the difference.

At Archway Myo, we take a whole-picture approach to airway and orofacial myofunctional health. We help families understand what may be contributing to these symptoms, offer clear next steps, and provide personalized care roadmaps. For patients in Ontario and Quebec, we offer tailored orofacial myofunctional therapy to support optimal breathing, oral function, and overall wellness.

If this sounds like something your family could benefit from, we’re here to help:
🦷 Myofunctional Consults & Evaluations (Ontario & Quebec only)
🌍 Airway Health Guidance Calls (available internationally)

🔗 Use the link in our bio for scheduling 🔗 and don’t forget to share our post to spread awareness 📣

In recent years, Myofunctional Therapy has been gaining popularity as an adjunctive treatment for Sleep Disordered Breat...
12/18/2023

In recent years, Myofunctional Therapy has been gaining popularity as an adjunctive treatment for Sleep Disordered Breathing!

Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) is a spectrum of disorders that involved compromised breathing during sleep.

SDB is not only a common cause of POOR SLEEP quality, but also negatively affects a persons overall health and quality of life.

When I share this information with others, I find myself met with skepticism (which is fair), often being asked how on earth that “tongue exercises” could possibly help someone with Sleep Apnea!

I thought I would share my (research based) explanation to help others understand how Myofunctional Therapy plays an important, and minimally invasive, role in treating SDB.

Did this help you understand the connection? Let me know in the comments!

Did you check your tongue position just now??👋 If you’re new here, I’m Courtney, the founder of .myo , an independent My...
11/22/2023

Did you check your tongue position just now??

👋 If you’re new here, I’m Courtney, the founder of .myo , an independent Myofunctional Therapy practice in 🇨🇦. I love spreading awareness about all things airway health & Myofunctional Therapy!

It may seem like such a minor thing but your tongue resting position can seriously cause some big problems! 🤔 👅

If your tongue rests on the bottom or middle of the mouth- here are some reasons WHY this could feel more natural for you:
- you may tend to mouth breathe
- you may have low tongue tone
- you may have a tongue TIE
- your jaws may be too narrow to accommodate the tongue

My recommendation? Try making a conscious effort over the next couple of weeks to rest the tongue against the roof of the mouth with your teeth slightly parted and lips closed— see how it makes you feel! If it feels forced, tense, or unnatural, I highly recommend seeking an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist for a consultation! If you have many of the symptoms listed on the slides- skip the first step & get your myofunctional assessment!

Click the link in my bio for more resources and information :)

Here’s how to take action 👇🏻As a Myofunctional Therapist, I get tons of messages from parents worried about their kids’ ...
11/21/2023

Here’s how to take action 👇🏻

As a Myofunctional Therapist, I get tons of messages from parents worried about their kids’ mouth breathing and poor sleep. I always recommend building a collaborative care team. This can look like working with: An ENT, Airway Dentist, Orthodontist, Allergist, Myofunctional Therapist, etc.

🌟 But guess what? You’re a key player too! Your role as a parent matters, and you can make a real difference. Here’s what you can do at home, starting TODAY:

1. 👃 Encourage Nose Breathing: Try daily nose care, breathing exercises, and set up a sleep-friendly space.
2. 👅 Tone the Tongue and Upper Airway: Teaming up with a myofunctional therapist is crucial for individualized care (I’ve listed some great starter exercises in my guide to get you started!)
3. 🍎 Diet and Nutrition: Feed them good stuff—whole foods, less inflammation, and figure out sensitivities.
4. ☀️ Regulate Circadian Rhythm: Stick to bedtime routines, get them moving, and get outside

I put together an essential parent guide “Breathe Right, Sleep Tight”, that goes into detail about the most common recommendations that I give to parents so that they can take action at home.

🚨Comment SLEEP TIGHT and I’ll send you a sneak peek 🚨

TONGUE SPACE MATTERS!What do I mean by “Tongue Space”?By tongue space, I am literally referring to the amount of space t...
11/13/2023

TONGUE SPACE MATTERS!

What do I mean by “Tongue Space”?
By tongue space, I am literally referring to the amount of space that you have in your mouth to accommodate the size of your tongue.

If you lack tongue space, your tongue becomes crowded in the mouth. This can affect many aspects of your daily functioning- the way you breathe, sleep, chew, speak and swallow.

Let’s break it down:
- if your palate is narrow, your tongue is crowded in the mouth
- If the tongue is crowded, it impinges on airway space
- If you can’t breathe well, you don’t sleep well
- If you don’t breathe or sleep well, no system in your body is unaffected. Think mental health, digestive health, hormonal health, brain health, cardiovascular health, etc.

Orthodontic treatment deserves a lot more credit. Having the ability to improve the structure of the mouth can literally change a person’s life and improve their health long term.

The problem is, not all orthodontists have this approach to treatment or philosophy, so it’s vital to do your own research and connect with the right provider. One who looks at the whole picture.

Find an orthodontist that believes in expansion of the jaw; not retraction. *Personally, I recommend avoiding tooth extractions whenever possible for orthodontic purposes.* Extracting teeth does not usually result in increased tongue space.

I also strongly recommend working with a Myofunctional Therapist in combination with orthodontic treatment. The reason why we end up with narrow dental arches to begin with is generally related to orofacial muscle dysfunction: mouth breathing, low tongue posture, open mouth resting posture. Correcting these dysfunctions through Myofunctional Therapy will help with orthodontic stability and improve your breathing and orofacial muscle patterns.
👋 Hey there! I’m Courtney, the founder of .myo. A Canadian Dental Hygienist, Myofunctional Therapist, and Mom. Join me in spreading awareness for airway health! 🌬️💙 Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to our email list for exclusive updates and insights! 📬✨ Link in bio to join our community! 🔗

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