Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about myofunctional therapy or what to expect at Breathe First? You’re not alone. This page answers the most common questions we hear from both parents and adult clients—covering everything from session structure to clinic details and treatment outcomes.
If you’re just starting to explore therapy or considering whether it’s right for you or your child, this is a great place to begin.
If you or your child have OMDs (orofacial myofunctional disorders) — such as open-mouth posture, habitual mouth breathing, low tongue posture, dribbling, tongue-tie, tongue thrust, or an inefficient swallow — these functional patterns can influence breathing, growth, and overall oral development.
In children, OMDs may contribute to feeding challenges, digestive discomfort, sleep-related breathing changes (such as snoring or disrupted sleep), delayed speech clarity, and orthodontic concerns. When these patterns persist into adulthood, they can be linked with jaw tension (including clenching or grinding), neck and shoulder tightness, headaches, and orthodontic instability.
Myofunctional therapy helps retrain the muscles of the face, tongue, and airway to restore balance and coordination. Through guided exercises and habit re-education, it supports healthy growth patterns in children and promotes improved comfort, breathing, and function at any age.
If you or your child have OMDs (orofacial myofunctional disorders) such as open mouth posture, mouth breathing, low tongue posture, dribbling, tongue-tie, tongue thrust, or an improper swallow, it can affect many other aspects of your body including improper growth and development.
For children, it can cause feeding and digestive issues, sleep-disordered breathing (snoring or sleep apnea), delayed or difficulty with speech, and orthodontic concerns. If not treated early in life it can cause many more unwanted symptoms such as TMJ issues (including clenching and grinding), neck and shoulder pain, digestive issues, headaches, sleep apnea, orthodontic relapse, and other health conditions.
Myofunctional therapy corrects function and encourages proper growth patterns in children, alleviates symptoms, prevents further complications and improves your quality of life.
Each session, whether online or in clinic will last 35-40 minutes.
During this time we will discuss progress and any concerns. We will also evaluate your sleep and any symptoms.
The Therapist will demonstrate the exercises for each session, one by one, guiding you to copy. There will typically be 3-6 exercises given, per session.
The therapist will observe your technique and guide on how to improve function or reduce other muscle compensations that might be present.
For children, the sessions will be engaging and fun, including games and sometimes movement. For children who cannot directly engage, we can work through Parents or Carers, with videos sent between sessions.
Myofunctional Therapy is an individualised programme based on your unique OMDs and your own goals and concerns. Due to the need to work on different bodily systems, and through phases of therapy, it can take 6-12 months (sometimes longer in SEN cases) to achieve all goals and fully habituate normal function.
At Breathe First, we will work at your pace, and regularly review progress towards your goals.
Breathe First is Manchester’s first Myofunctional Therapy Practice. We can offer Breathing Re-education, Speech and Language Therapy and Myofunctional Therapy, separately, or blended into a package to suit your specific needs.
At Breathe First, we put you at the centre of the treatment. We understand that therapy is a contract between patient and Therapist, and trust is at the forefront of this relationship.
We will work with other professionals involved in your care, and we will give candid recommendations regarding onward referrals, or if/when we feel that this therapy/therapist is not suitable for you.
Each Wednesday, our face-to-face clinic is held in the beautiful Clinical Consultation room at High Speed Pharmacy (72 Wood Lane, Timperley, WA15 7PL).
There is parking directly outside. Entry to the clinic is via a telecom buzzer. The clinic is on ground level and includes a small waiting area, a toilet, and a lovely environment within the clinic room. We have ample space for consultations, and a little play area and table and chairs for small children.
As part of your initial evaluation, we review tongue mobility and how it functions within your oral posture. Some individuals may benefit from additional procedures, but we always begin with therapy for a minimum of six sessions to explore functional improvement.
If after therapy there’s still a clear functional restriction, we can discuss whether a tie release may be beneficial and coordinate with trusted specialists to support this decision—while remaining focused on your overall functional goals.
Yes. Myofunctional therapy is highly adaptable to the needs of different age groups. We work with:
- Children, including those with oral habits (e.g. thumb-sucking, mouth breathing), speech delays, or feeding issues
- Teenagers, especially those undergoing orthodontic treatment or struggling with jaw development
- Adults, managing issues like TMJD, fatigue, snoring, or orthodontic relapse
Each programme is personalised to match age, ability, and therapy goals.
No, you don’t need a referral. We accept self-referred clients directly.
If, during your assessment, we identify the need for additional support (e.g. from an ENT specialist, orthodontist, or dentist), we’ll guide you toward the right professionals and can coordinate care as needed.
Yes. After your initial in-person assessment, all therapy sessions are delivered online.
This format allows us to support clients across the UK while offering flexibility around school, work, or family schedules. Progress is tracked closely with regular check-ins, and exercises are demonstrated and guided in real time.
We believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
You’ll find our current assessment and therapy session costs listed clearly on our Pricing page. We also offer flexible payment plans for multi-session packages.
Myofunctional therapy can support a number of functional oral and breathing challenges, such as:
• Mouth breathing and inefficient oral posture
• Habitual snoring or altered breathing patterns during sleep
• Jaw discomfort, tension, or clenching
• Speech clarity and swallow coordination
• Tongue thrust or tongue posture habits
• Post-orthodontic habit support or relapse prevention
• Facial muscle balance and development in children
