Frequently Asked Questions

What do we specialize in? We are traditionally trained physical and speech therapists that have specialized over the years to treat issues such as:

What is an orofacial myofunctional therapy disorder (OMD)? 

Simply put, Orofacial Myofunctional disorders are disorders of the face and mouth muscles.  When the face and mouth/tongue muscles do not work in a coordinated and intended pattern this may affect skeletal growth and development, sleep, chewing, swallowing, occlusion, forward head posture, TMJ movement, stability of orthodontic treatment, facial aesthetics and more.

Often OMD’s start out as a tongue thrust swallowing pattern and/or poor nasal breathing leading to mouth breathing.  Both impairments cause significant changes in muscle and skeletal shape and over time, lead to greater OMD’s and disordered breathing patterns.

A healthy face is characterized by a strong sturdy chin, developed jaws, high cheekbones, good lips, correct nose size and straight teeth.  When a face develops correctly, the teeth will follow suit.  Straight teeth do not create a good-looking face, but a healthy face will create straight teeth.  Efficient and consistent nasal breathing is the key to growing a healthy, good looking face.

The tongue’s function is a big component of OMD’s.   The correct resting posture of the tongue as well as nasal breathing are proven to be absolutely vital for addressing issues related to asthma, poor sleep/snoring, ADHD, sinusitis, reflux, and anxiety. Just like a shoulder or knee that needs therapy at some point, your mouth does too.  Breathing retraining in conjunction with a typical Myofunctional therapy exercise program will help improve sleep, concentration, athletic performance and mood.

What is orofacial myofunctional therapy? 

Myofunctional therapy is physical therapy for the muscles of the face, tongue, neck and core.  The manual therapy intervention and prescribed exercises are designed to correct muscle imbalances and eliminate faulty habits so that you can breathe, eat, sleep and move better so that you can become the best version of yourself.  We work with patients ranging from infants to senior citizens and It all comes down to some basics- regardless of age.    Our patients will learn how to

1. Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth

2. Develop a proper tongue/mouth resting posture and alignment

3. Chew and swallow correctly

4. Sit and stand with good posture

How often will I have to come to therapy?

That’s a tough question!  Just like a snowflake, each person is different.  And certainly, everyone has different needs.  Our treatment is focused on eliminating bad habits and correcting muscle imbalances so that a patient can use their mouth correctly, breathe effectively, and sleep soundly. 

We take an individual approach based on your condition.  Once a thorough evaluation is performed, taking into consideration all of the variables of your situation, a treatment plan is agreed upon.  We provide you with the options and you choose which route to take.  This plan is based on your wants and needs.

Typical treatment sessions are one time/week for 45-60 minutes.  An individualized home exercise program will be given to patients of all ages.  Every week the manual skills, exercises and treatment plan should change.  Compliance is certainly important.  A wise author once said, “Nothing changes if nothing changes”.  You will get out of physical therapy what you put into it!

How do I pay for therapy?

Most insurance plans cover Physical Therapy services.  We are in network with most BlueCross Blue Shield Plans.  If this is not your insurance carrier, we are currently considered an out of network provider and fees are due at time of service delivery regardless of insurance provider.    However, as a service to those clients, we are happy to provide an itemized invoice so that you may directly submit your bill to your chosen insurance company for reimbursement.  

I think it’s important to say that not all physical therapy services are equal.  Just like one teacher is better than another, one employee stands out more than another, the same can be said for physical therapists.  Don’t let insurance dictate your provider.  You owe it to yourself to find the best solution to alleviate your problem.  Your health is priceless.

Is Physical Therapy necessary?  Can I just google some exercises?

Sure, Google is certainly great, but it does not individualize a treatment plan nor can it utilize hands-on manual skills to improve musculoskeletal or neuromuscular function.  Even the professional athletes utilize coaches, therapists, mentors, and advisors.  Physical therapists are the experts in human movement.  We are able to identify the underlying causes that lead to problems and provide a valuable pathway for recovery.  Don’t miss the opportunity to help yourself get better and begin to live the best version of yourself.

Do I need a doctor’s referral to make an appointment?

Louisiana is a “Direct Access” state.  This means that legislation in Louisiana was passed allowing licensed physical therapists to evaluate and treat patients without first seeing a physician.  As a “Direct Access” patient, you do not need a prescription from your physician to receive out-patient therapy.  You may start treatment the minute you notice an issue!

As a “Direct Access” provider, physical therapists can utilize their skills and training to the fullest, to offer interventions for functional limitations related to movement and the restoration of function.  Our expert physical therapists proficiently evaluate the patient’s conditions and identify ways to resolve or improve musculoskeletal and neuromuscular issues. 

Will my therapist work with my physicians and other professionals I currently see?

Absolutely!  As they say, “Teamwork makes the dream work”.  Physical therapists are well-qualified to recognize when patients demonstrate issues that should be evaluated by other healthcare professionals.  We will suggest a referral to other health care professionals as necessary.  We hope to collaborate with Orthodontists, ENTs, Allergists, Dentists and General Practitioners.   With the patient’s permission, we would love to send our results to your physician and collaborate with him/her to work towards getting you to be the best version of yourself.