Myo for Athletes

  • Speed

  • Explosiveness

  • Power

  • Strength

  • Recovery

  • Endurance

Regardless of the sport or athletic endeavor, the overall goals are the same and every athlete seeks to find the optimal combination of training, practice, and recovery that will support peak performance!

How can Myofunctional Therapy benefit athletes?

While our therapy approach is very unique for athletes, the main goals of OMT remain the same. Nasal breathing, one of the four overarching goals of OMT, is a key factor in athletic performance. Very simply put, when a person participates in nasal breathing (opposed to oral breathing), they release nitric oxide, therefore increasing blood carbon dioxide levels, which increases the delivery of oxygen to working tissue. The greater the oxygen rich blood is, the harder muscles can work, with increased energy production and overall better performance.

Additionally, nasal breathing elicits the parasympathetic nervous system response which supports rest and digestion, opposed to the sympathetic, fight or flight, response that is seen during states of stress. This is especially important for athletes, as they constantly place their body in a state of stress. Brian Mackenzie, founder of the Art of Breath program, states, “The fact is, it’s incredibly difficult to learn or process anything in survival mode. We are now understanding some of the deeper layers to managing stress, which has direct impact on not only the general population, but is at the heart of how elite performers can optimize performance.”

 

How can Myofunctional therapy support recovery?

For many athletes, especially those competing at high levels, one of the biggest components of their success, is their recovery. Throughout the training that athletes endure, they are constantly putting stress on their body, physically and mentally. In order to perform optimally and decrease injury, quality sleep is required.

Sleep is a complex process and one that many people don’t fully understand. There are four stages of sleep that should occur sequentially, each with a different function for the body. Many individuals do not go through each stage of sleep and therefore to not reap the benefits of that stage. Muscle and tissue repair occur in stage 4 sleep, however if an athlete suffers from a myofunctional disorder, like tongue tie or obstructive sleep apnea, they may never get to this stage or may stay in it for very short periods, leading to decreased repair, impeding recovery and ultimately increasing the risk of injury.

 

What can I expect my program to look like?

Programs are designed as packages with an average of 12-15 sessions, occurring every 1-4 weeks. Therapy may be paired with other referrals and services as appropriate for each person. Our therapists will provide extensive education and resources, along with a digital home program to support tracking and participation in a short, but crucial daily exercise program. Daily home programs typically require 5-10 minutes of participation per day!

Our Myofunctional therapy programs for athletes are very unique and are delivered in a variety of settings including virtual and in person options. Our programs can be implemented one on one, in conjunction with a PT, trainer, or coach, or as part of a whole team program. To get more information about these options and learn more about our programs, click here!

“Nasal breathing provides significant advantages over mouth breathing, particularly for athletes who want to improve performance as well as recover more efficiently.”

-Michael Flanell, RDH, MBA