ALIGN MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY

Treat the Cause - Not the symptoms.

Our virtual myofunctional therapy programs retrain oral and facial muscles to improve breathing patterns, sleep quality, jaw comfort, and overall oral health.

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What is Myofunctional Therapy?

Orofacial myofunctional therapy is a specialized, personalized program designed to strengthen weak facial muscles and retrain dysfunctional oral patterns.

Weak or imbalanced oral muscles can contribute to mouth breathing, snoring, improper swallowing patterns, dental misalignment, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), to name a few.

Through guided virtual therapy, we help retrain the oral structures to function optimally, supporting healthy rest posture, nasal breathing, and proficient swallowing patterns.

Strengthens Weak Oral & Facial Muscles

Myofunctional therapy uses targeted exercises to strengthen the tongue, lips, cheeks, and facial muscles. Strong, balanced muscles are essential for proper breathing, swallowing, speech, and jaw alignment.

Retrains Dysfunctional Oral Habits

Through structured exercises and habit retraining, therapy addresses maladaptive patterns such as mouth breathing, improper swallowing, and poor oral rest posture. Correcting these patterns can relieve excess strain on the jaw, helping reduce discomfort while supporting long-term dental stability and airway health.

Supports Whole-Body Health

Proper oral function directly impacts breathing quality, sleep, digestion, and jaw comfort. Myofunctional therapy promotes nasal breathing, reduces snoring, alleviates TMJ discomfort, and supports overall wellness.

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Our Approach

At Align, we focus on resolving root causes — not applying temporary fixes. We believe proper oral function plays a foundational role in overall health and well-being. Each therapy plan is thoughtfully customized to the client’s unique symptoms, goals, and needs. Throughout the process, we work closely with our clients to support consistency, motivation, and long-term success. Because myofunctional therapy is often one piece of a larger puzzle, we value a collaborative approach to care. When appropriate, we help connect clients with other airway-focused healthcare providers to ensure a comprehensive and supportive path toward optimal function and health

We specialize in virtual orofacial myofunctional therapy designed to:

Help reduce jaw pain and improve TMJ function
Improve proper oral rest posture
Strengthen and balance weak facial muscles
Improve swallowing mechanics
Support consisten nasal breathing

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What CLIENTS Say

Our clients are at the heart of everything we do. Their experiences reflect our commitment to providing compassionate care, trusted expertise, and personalized attention.

"Kat has been incredible in my airway journey! Myofunctional therapy has allowed me to learn proper breathing patterns, sleep more soundly and swallow properly. The app was such a great tool to help guide me through the exercises and Kat always made sure to check in with me on a regular basis. I was always able to ask her anything and she guided me so well! Incredibly grateful for her help in the journey!"

- Kaitlyn Bullis

"Kat Howard is passionate about her work and helping clients achieve their goals. She is thorough, highly skilled and patient. She listens well and gives detailed, specific feedback. I am grateful for the improvement I have made and my ability to sleep better as a result. I highly recommend her. It’s one of the best investments I have made for my health."

- Seanne Emerton

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Frequently Asked Questions section is designed to provide clear answers to common questions about our services, appointments, treatments, and policies.

What is orofacial myofunctional therapy?

Orofacial myofunctional therapy is a specialized, exercise-based therapy that retrains the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face to function properly. These muscles play an important role in breathing, swallowing, jaw function, and oral resting posture. By improving muscle strength and coordination, myofunctional therapy helps support healthy airway function, reduce jaw discomfort, and promote long-term oral health.

Who is a good candidate for myofunctional therapy?

Individuals with TMJ pain, jaw tension, sleep or airway issues, tongue-thrust swallowing, mouth breathing, or other oral muscle imbalances can benefit. Therapy is suitable for both children and adults.

How do I know if I or my child need myofunctional therapy?

How do I know if I or my child need myofunctional therapy Common signs include mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, swallowing and digestive concerns, speech concerns, orthodontic relapse, TMJ discomfort, or a history of tongue-tie, to name a few. A comprehensive evaluation can determine if therapy is appropriate.

Is therapy available virtually?

Yes! I actually only offer virtual care, allowing clients in the Lincoln area and beyond to receive guided exercises and ongoing support from the comfort of home

Is virtual myofunctional therapy effective?

Yes! To support success, we use a dedicated app for daily exercises and provide weekly accountability check-ins, keeping communication open and ensuring progress stays on track. Consistency and daily practice remain the most important factors for results.

How long do therapy plans run?

Adult plans usually start at 6 months. Kids typically complete 12–24 virtual sessions over a 6 mo period. If needed, therapy can continue for additional months for an added fee.

How long does each therapy session take?

Each therapy session lasts about 30–45 minutes. Adults can schedule sessions as needed, but many primarily use the app for exercises, accountability, communication, and ongoing support between visits.

What age groups do you work with?

We typically start with children around 4–6 years old, depending on maturity and ability to follow instructions. Myofunctional therapy is effective for all ages—even adults up to 100 years old—whenever support is needed.

Does myofunctional therapy help with snoring and sleep issues?

Yes. By improving tongue posture, encouraging nasal breathing, and strengthening the upper airway, myofunctional therapy can reduce snoring and help many people sleep more soundly.

Can myofunctional therapy help with temporal mandibular joint disorder (TMJD)?

Yes! Meeting with a myofunctional therapist is often an excellent first step before pursuing other treatments. By strengthening and balancing the muscles around the jaw, therapy can reduce strain and relieve discomfort associated with TMJD.

Can myofunctional therapy be combined with other treatments?

Absolutely. Therapy works alongside dental care, orthodontics, or other TMJ or sleep-related treatments to enhance results and support long-term oral and airway health.

Is therapy required before or after a lingual frenectomy, commonly known as a tongue tie release?

Absolutely. Therapy before and after a tongue tie release strengthens muscles, improves tongue mobility, and ensures lasting results. A release without muscle retraining won’t do much for symptom relief.

Do you work with orthodontists or other providers?

Yes! Myofunctional therapy works best alongside orthodontists, ENT specialists, and speech therapists who focus on airway health and proper jaw function.

How do I get started?

Visit our services page or click the button below to schedule an appointment and explore solutions for you or your child.

Do you accept insurance?

Some insurance plans may offer coverage for myofunctional therapy, but most do not. I provide care based on what is best for each client rather than allowing insurance companies to dictate treatment. For this reason, I do not accept insurance at this time. However, I can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. HSA and FSA funds can also be used.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes. Since most therapy plans usually run 6 months, payments are typically split over the first three months. If that schedule doesn’t work, we’re flexible and happy to create a plan that fits your needs so you can get the care you deserve.