Still Snoring? Why It Might Be Sleep Apnea — and How Myofunctional Therapy Can Help
Do you snore at night — or wake up tired, foggy, and cranky?
You might brush it off as “just snoring,” but it could be something more serious: sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
And while devices like CPAPs and mouthguards can help manage symptoms, they often don’t address why your airway is collapsing in the first place. That’s where myofunctional therapy comes in — a gentle, non-invasive way to retrain your muscles and support better sleep from the inside out.
What’s Really Happening When You Snore
Snoring is your body’s cry for help. It’s caused by vibrating soft tissue in the throat or mouth as air struggles to pass through. If your airway narrows or collapses completely, your brain briefly wakes you up to restart breathing — often without you realizing it.
This is what happens with obstructive sleep apnea, and it can occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night.
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea or Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Loud, chronic snoring
Waking up gasping or choking
Daytime sleepiness, even after 7–8 hours in bed
Morning headaches
Dry mouth or sore throat
Trouble concentrating or remembering things
Mood swings or irritability
Teeth grinding or jaw pain & tension
If you’ve checked off more than two of these, you may be dealing with a muscle-related airway issue — not just a noisy sleeper.
It’s Not Just About Weight or Age — Muscle Function Matters
Many people assume sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing only affects older or overweight adults, but oral muscle function plays a massive role. Over time, small muscle imbalances can quietly reshape the way your airway functions:
A low tongue posture that falls back during sleep
Chronic mouth breathing, which narrows the airway
A narrow palate or jaw misalignment
Bruxism (grinding and clenching)
A past or present tongue tie that was never fully corrected
These habits and compensations may start in childhood but cause lifelong sleep and health problems if not addressed.
How Myofunctional Therapy Helps with Sleep-Disordered Breathing & Sleep Apnea
Myofunctional therapy is like physical therapy — but for your tongue, jaw, and airway. It retrains the muscles of your mouth, face, and throat to work the way they were meant to, even while you sleep.
With myofunctional therapy, you can:
✅ Improve nasal breathing and reduce open-mouth posture
✅ Strengthen the tongue to stay in the right position during sleep
✅ Support the effectiveness of CPAP or oral appliance therapy
✅ Reduce snoring, clenching, and nighttime airway collapse
✅ Wake up feeling more rested and focused
My Approach: Root-Cause Focused and Truly Supportive
As a former dental hygienist and a myofunctional therapist, I’ve worked with many adults who’ve felt frustrated or overlooked when seeking answers about their sleep. That’s why I take a concierge-style approach to care.
If you're already working with a sleep doctor, ENT, or dentist, I’ll collaborate with them to make sure you’re receiving complete, coordinated care. If you’re starting from scratch, I’ll help you understand what’s going on and what steps to take.
You won’t leave with a one-size-fits-all handout. Instead, you’ll get:
A full muscle function evaluation
A customized plan tailored to your lifestyle
Ongoing coaching, encouragement, and progress tracking
Support with other providers (and yes — I’ll even attend appointments with you if needed)
Ready to Stop Snoring and Start Sleeping?
If you’re tired of jaw pain, fatigue, and snoring stealing your sleep — myofunctional therapy might be the missing piece you’ve been looking for.
📅 Book your free 15-minute consultation today
Let’s talk about how we can improve your sleep — gently, naturally, and with a plan that actually works.