Master Myofunctional Therapy: Essential Reads and Expert Resources
- Tracey Coulter
- Nov 1, 2024
- 5 min read
If you're exploring the world of myofunctional therapy, you're likely aware of its powerful role in improving breathing, swallowing, and overall oral function. Whether you're a professional looking to expand your expertise or someone seeking to understand the benefits for yourself or a loved one, finding the right resources can be a game-changer.
Here’s a collection of excellent books and resources that provide valuable insights into myofunctional therapy, as well as its impact on health and wellness. These books not only highlight the science behind proper oral function but also emphasize the life-changing effects of correct breathing patterns, sleep quality, and overall health. From real-life stories to expert research, these materials offer a comprehensive guide to mastering the concepts and practice of myofunctional therapy.
1. Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
In Breath, James Nestor explores the transformative power of proper breathing and how modern habits have led to widespread issues with airway health, many of which are addressed by myofunctional therapy. Nestor combines historical research, scientific studies, and personal experimentation to demonstrate how poor breathing patterns—especially mouth breathing—affect our overall health, contributing to problems like sleep apnea, crooked teeth, and even anxiety.
A key takeaway from the book is the role of myofunctional therapy in retraining the muscles of the mouth and face to promote nasal breathing, which helps improve airway function and supports better health. Nestor highlights how simple changes, such as practicing proper tongue posture and nasal breathing, can have profound effects on physical and mental well-being.
Breath is both an eye-opening and practical read, making a compelling case for the importance of restoring natural, healthy breathing patterns through techniques like myofunctional therapy.
2. Gasp: Airway Health - The Hidden Path to Wellness by Dr. Michael Gelb and Dr. Howard Hindin
"Gasp" focuses on airway health, a cornerstone of myofunctional therapy. Dr. Gelb and Dr. Hindin explain how airway obstruction and breathing disorders can lead to chronic health conditions like sleep apnea, ADHD, and anxiety. This book serves as an essential guide for understanding the relationship between proper airway function and overall well-being. It also offers practical advice on diagnosing and treating airway issues through therapeutic methods.
3. The Tired Child: How Sleep and Breathing Can Heal Your Child by Dr. Meghna Dassani**
The Tired Child by Dr. Meghna Dassani is an insightful and much-needed exploration into the often-overlooked connection between children’s sleep issues and their breathing patterns. Dr. Dassani, a sleep and airway specialist, takes a deep dive into how poor sleep in children—often due to undiagnosed breathing disorders like obstructive sleep apnea or airway restrictions—can affect their development, behavior, and overall health.
One of the book’s key strengths is its accessibility for parents and caregivers. Dr. Dassani explains complex medical concepts in simple terms, making it easier to understand how seemingly minor issues, such as snoring, mouth breathing, or restless sleep, could point to bigger underlying problems that impact a child’s well-being. The book emphasizes that symptoms often mistaken for behavioral issues, like ADHD or irritability, can be signs of sleep-related breathing disorders, urging readers to look beyond superficial causes and seek proper diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Dassani also provides practical, actionable steps for parents who may suspect their child is suffering from sleep or breathing issues. The book offers guidance on what symptoms to look out for, what questions to ask medical professionals, and what types of interventions—from myofunctional therapy to corrective surgeries—may be beneficial.
A highlight of The Tired Child is its holistic approach to pediatric health. Rather than simply focusing on treating symptoms, Dr. Dassani advocates for addressing root causes, offering solutions that promote long-term wellness and healthy development. She skillfully ties together the importance of proper breathing, sleep hygiene, and early intervention, making this book a vital resource for anyone concerned with children’s health.
One potential drawback is that some of the case studies and treatments discussed might feel a bit overwhelming for parents unfamiliar with sleep medicine or airway issues. However, Dr. Dassani's clear explanations and supportive tone go a long way in alleviating these concerns.
In summary, The Tired Child is an invaluable resource for parents, healthcare professionals, and educators who want to better understand how sleep and breathing disorders impact children’s lives. Dr. Dassani shines a light on an issue that is too often misunderstood, offering both hope and practical guidance for improving the health and happiness of children.
4. Jaws: The Story of a Hidden Epidemic by Sandra Kahn and Paul R. Ehrlich
"Jaws" presents a fascinating look at the modern epidemic of shrinking jaws and the rise of related health issues like crooked teeth, sleep apnea, and breathing disorders. Kahn and Ehrlich argue that our diet, lifestyle, and other environmental factors have dramatically altered the way our jaws develop, leading to various health challenges. This book highlights how myofunctional therapy, along with changes in lifestyle, can help correct these issues and improve long-term health. "Jaws" is a compelling read that makes the case for early intervention and awareness of oral function and facial development.
Additional resourses and experts in the field of airways, breathing, and overall health
Dr. Soroush Zaghi, MD, ENT
The Breathe Institute - California, USA
https://thebreatheinstitute.com/
Dr. Zaghi graduated from Harvard Medical School, completed residency in ENT (Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery) at UCLA, and Sleep Surgery Fellowship at Stanford University. The focus of his sub-specialty training is on the comprehensive treatment of tongue-tie, nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea. He is very active in clinical research relating to sleep disordered breathing with over 80+ peer-reviewed research publications in the fields of neuroscience, head and neck surgery, and sleep-disordered breathing
Dr. Zaghi is particularly interested in studying the impact of tethered-oral tissues (such as tongue-tie) and oral myofascial dysfunction on maxillofacial development, upper airway resistance syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea. He is an invited lecturer, author, and journal reviewer for topics relating to the diagnosis and management of sleep-disordered breathing and tongue-tie disorders
Research interests include: Study design, literature review, and statistical analysis. Special interest in collaborative and multidisciplinary research projects relating to airway and breathing disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, nasal obstruction, upper airway resistance syndrome, pediatric sleep disorders, myofunctional therapy, frenuloplasty, facial and airway development, and maxillofacial reconstructive surgery.
I would highly recommend visiting the Breath Institute on YouTube, there are several videos and lectures posted there.
Patrick McKeown – A leading expert in breathing and myofunctional therapy, Patrick McKeown is known for his work on the Buteyko breathing method. His resources and training programs focus on optimizing breathing patterns to improve overall health. Learn more at the Oxygen
Advantage.
Dr. Richard Baxter at the Alabama Tongue-Tie Center – A leading expert in diagnosing and treating tongue ties, Dr. Baxter is a board-certified pediatric dentist who specializes in the functional impacts of oral restrictions. His work at the Alabama Tongue Tie Centre has helped countless individuals improve their oral function and breathing.
Comments