What can I do about my snoring? A myofunctional therapy / Osteopathic approach

The article will delve into some of the science supporting why myofunctional therapy - essentially, ‘an exercise program for your face and mouth’- can be efficacious in the treatment of snoring. 

Summary:

This article will discuss-

• Treatments for snoring

• The literature on Myofunctional therapy and snoring

• What ‘myofunctional therapy’ treatment methods were studied in the literature.

• Up sides of myofunctional therapy in relation to snoring

• Down sides of myofunctional therapy in relation to snoring

• Some guidance for the patient who is looking for a non-invasive approach to snoring.

Treatments for snoring

A lot of people resign themselves to the fact that they are a ‘snorer’ but perhaps there is something we can do about this. There are non-invaisive treatment options now backed by a growing body of evidence to support the use of myofunctional therapy to reduce one's snoring. 

This article will draw from two recent studies: a 2017 meta analysis and 2021 literature review. 

Snoring is essentially a partial airway obstruction. It can occur for a variety of reasons and management can involve a team of healthcare professionals- i.e. Dieticians for weight loss, Surgeons for removal of obstructive tissue, Dentists for mandibular advancement splints and Sleep physicians to look further into the sleep studies. 

This article will explore how myofunctional therapy can play a role in snoring reduction. 

Myofunctional therapy and snoring

In the context of this article, myofunctional therapy (also known as orofacial myology) can be thought of as an exercise program for your face and mouth. The mechanism of action for myofunctional therapy in regards to snoring is not fully clear. It is thought to improve the tone and strength of the oral cavity, tongue, soft palate and pharynx. This increase in strength is thought to assist with airway stabilisation, thus preventing the partial collapse that causes one to snore. 

A myofunctional approach to snoring has shown to help across a handful of metrics. This is important as when we think about “fixing” snoring we should look at which metrics are or aren’t improving. The metrics that improved when snoring patients engaged in myofunctional therapy included:

• A reduction in the hours spent snoring each night.

• A reduction in the frequency of nights snoring across a week.

• A reduction in the intensity of snoring. 

• A reduction in Apnoea Hyponea Index (AHI) scores.

What did ‘myofunctional therapy’ look like in these studies?

The studies which used myofunctional therapy as the treatment modality for snoring all included the following 5 key points:

1. Participants completed a 12 week DIY exercise program that was initially taught by a Healthcare Professional.

2. Participants had an exercise program that targeted the soft palate, the tongue, facial muscles, the jaw, the pharynx and head/ neck posture.     

3. Participants were required to commit 5-7 days a week to completing the DIY exercise program. 

4. The DIY exercise program was 8-20mins long.

5. Participant compliance to the program had to be above 85%.  

Up sides of myofunctional therapy in relation to snoring

• It is non-invasive. Your practitioner may put gloves on and perform manual therapy inside your mouth but otherwise treatment is conducted outside of the body.  

• It is low risk. As there are no pharmaceuticals, anaesthetics, surgery, radiation or injections, the risks are substantially lower than invasive treatment options.   

• Consultations are relatively cheap when compared to surgery, splints and/or C-PAP machines.

• Very minor adverse effects have been recorded. These were limited to temporary muscle soreness and mild redness in the exercised areas.  

Down sides of myofunctional therapy in relation to snoring

• Blanket protocols are hard to prescribe. Programs should be tailored to suit your needs. Every person is unique and evidence suggests that a customised myofunctional program will maximise the treatment outcomes.  

• Myofunctional Therapy requires compliance. This is by far the biggest challenge with myofunctional therapy, the patient needs to be committed. Treatment usually involves a 12 week program of daily or twice daily exercises. However this can be modified to suit the individual. You and your practitioner will need to work together to ensure that a realistic program is created given your time, commitment to the process and competing priorities.   

• The evidence surrounding the long term benefits is unclear as there aren't any studies conducted that included 12 month + follow up. However, if we liken myofunctional therapy for snoring to strength training for other adaptations elsewhere in the body, we know that bouts of training can confer lasting benefits. Especially in developing habitual motor patterns along with other lasting neural and mitochondrial adaptations.

I’m curious about Myofuncional Therapy, what do I do now?

Have a chat with us, we offer a complimentary 10 minute chat to address your questions, concerns and to discuss how treatment may look for someone like yourself or a referral patient. 

If you are curious about myofunctional therapy for the management of snoring please be aware that it will require active involvement from the patient. Exercises will be prescribed and follow up appointments will be needed. Treatment will span over 12 weeks but this may only include 3-8 appointments. 

We look forward to hearing from you.