Lily Manspeaker

CERTIFIED OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPIST

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional Therapy is neuromuscular training for the muscles in the face, mouth, lips, and tongue. Essentially physical therapy from the neck up. Myofunctional therapy helps to re-program the brain and change your default patterns so that the orofacial muscles work in harmony, function properly, and rest in the correct position. Short daily myofunctional exercises are designed to establish proper nasal breathing, proper tongue posture, create lip seal and establish proper swallowing, Myofunctional therapy aims to promote better health, reduce any pain, improve breathing and enhance your overall quality of life. 

Sonoma County Myofunctional Therapist. Santa Rosa Myofunctional Therapist, Northern California Myofunctional Therapist

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Who Can Benefit from Myofunctional Therapy?

  • Headaches

  • Forward Head Posture

  • Chronic Ear Infections

  • Clenching/Grinding

  • Malocclusion

  • Cavities and Gum Disease

  • Chronic Digestive Issues

  • Mouth Breathing

  • Sleep Disordered Breathing

  • Neck and Shoulder Pain

  • TMJ Pain and Dysfunction

  • Snoring

  • Tongue Thrusting

  • Orthodontic Relapse

  • Tongue Tied

Adults and children can benefit from Myofunctional Therapy. You may benefit from therapy if you have one or more of these symptoms:

Sonoma County Myofunctional Therapist. Santa Rosa Myofunctional Therapist, Northern California Myofunctional Therapist

Lily's journey as an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist began from her personal experiences and her family's struggles with orofacial dysfunction. She was determined to find effective therapies and treatments that could address these issues and enhance the quality of life for both herself and her loved ones. With over 13 years of experience as a holistic dental hygienist, Lily made the pivotal connection between oral health and airway health. This discovery led her to dive into the world of myofunctional therapy and airway health education.


Lily's work is guided by her commitment to a holistic approach to care. She firmly believes that the well-being of the mouth impacts the well-being of the entire body.  She wholeheartedly embraces the world of myofunctional therapy and airway health education, constantly seeking to deepen her knowledge and skills while adopting a root cause approach to patient care…

Meet Lily Manspeaker

Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy for Both Adults and Children

  • Reduced Nasal Congestion

  • Improved Posture

  • Reduced Clenching/Grinding

  • Better Sleep

  • Reduced Head and Neck Pain

  • Elimination of Oral Habits(nail biting, ect.)

  • Less Brain Fog

  • Improved Attention Span

  • Reduction in Sleep Apnea Episodes

  • Ability to Move Oral Muscles Correctly

  • Straighten Teeth

  • Better Facial Symmetry

Consequences of Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing can lead to inadequate muscle development in the mouth, face, and throat, resulting in potential health issues for children and adults. The proper functioning of these muscles is crucial for the growth and development of jaws. It is essential to teach children how to use these muscles correctly. Failure to address this ineffective muscle use may have long-term health implications leading to poor facial development, teeth issues, poor sleep and many other adverse health conditions

There are many reasons why mouth breathing can become the dominant method of breathing. Allergies, enlarged tonsils/adenoids, tongue-ties, prolonged pacifier/finger sucking, ect. Myofunctional therapy can help correct the dysfunction with the orofacial muscles so you can always breathe through your nose and use your muscles of the face correctly.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Children with OSA struggle to function and stay awake, causing significant behavior and learning issues, speech delays, and mood disturbances. They often have difficulty following directions and are five times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Parents may observe symptoms such as snoring, noisy breathing, night waking, and mouth breathing in their children and assume these are normal. However, while these symptoms are common, they are not normal.

OSA doesn't just affect children—it is a serious condition in adults as well. Untreated OSA in adults can lead to chronic fatigue, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, mood disturbances, and an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Over time, it also significantly raises the risk of serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and metabolic disorders. Many adults with OSA experience snoring, gasping for air during sleep, waking up unrefreshed, morning headaches, dry mouth, and persistent daytime sleepiness.

If you or your child experience these symptoms, it's essential to seek proper evaluation and treatment. Addressing OSA early can improve quality of life, cognitive function, and long-term health outcomes.

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