What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea and What Causes It?
If you or your child suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, you’re not alone. Many families struggle with the effects of snoring, mouth breathing, teeth grinding, and poor-quality sleep—often without knowing the root cause.
At Myofunctional Therapy of Kansas, I take a natural, non-invasive approach to addressing these symptoms by targeting the actual source: muscle dysfunction in the mouth, jaw, and throat.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea and What Causes It?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax too much during sleep, leading to a temporary blockage of the airway. These interruptions can happen dozens of times a night—lowering oxygen levels and preventing deep, restful sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Teeth grinding
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Excessive daytime tiredness
- Morning headaches or jaw soreness
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway collapses—often due to weak or improperly functioning oral and facial muscles. These are the same muscles I retrain through myofunctional therapy.
💡 Did you know? You can have sleep apnea without snoring. That's why mouth breathing and grinding may also be signs that something deeper is affecting your sleep quality.
Can Obstructive Sleep Apnea Be Cured? Start Your Path to Better Sleep
While severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea require medical diagnosis and may involve CPAP therapy or surgery, many people with mild to moderate sleep apnea find lasting relief through myofunctional therapy—a natural, root-cause approach.
My patients often say CPAP machines and night guards feel like uncomfortable “band-aids.” Myofunctional therapy is different—it helps retrain your breathing and muscle patterns for lasting change.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment: Managing Sleep Apnea Naturally
Comprehensive Assessment
Personalized Therapy Plans
Ongoing Support and Guidance
Discover the Path to Restful Nights
✔ Better Breathing: Reduce airway obstruction with targeted exercises that support open airways and minimize snoring.
✔ Deeper, Restorative Sleep: Address the root causes of obstructive sleep apnea to improve sleep quality and daytime energy.
✔ No Machines, No Surgery: Myofunctional therapy offers a natural alternative to CPAP, making it a sustainable solution for many.
✔ Personalized Support: Every treatment plan is designed around your symptoms, severity, and goals.
Real Results: Avoiding Surgery Through Myofunctional Therapy
One of my young patients was facing a tonsillectomy due to severe sleep apnea. Her parents wanted a less invasive solution. After a year of myofunctional therapy, her sleep apnea score dropped from 37 to just 2 events per night—a massive improvement that helped her avoid surgery.
She now breathes easier, sleeps better, and her facial development has shifted in a positive direction—giving her room for straight teeth and a healthy airway.
Myofunctional Therapy of Kansas
111 S Whittier St, Suite 135Wichita, KS
67207-1045 View Staff & Treatments
Important Note: Myofunctional Therapy and Medical Diagnosis
Many of my patients experience real, noticeable relief from symptoms like snoring, jaw soreness, and daytime tiredness—often within weeks of starting therapy. However, it’s important to understand that these are subjective improvements, based on how you feel, not just data from a sleep study.
Clinical studies show that myofunctional therapy can improve mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, especially when poor oral muscle tone is a contributing factor. But if you have—or suspect—severe sleep apnea, it’s essential to consult with a sleep physician and undergo a sleep study before relying on any supportive therapy.
Myofunctional therapy can be a powerful complement to medical care, but it's not a replacement for professional diagnosis or treatment in more serious cases.
Schedule a Consultation to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea Naturally
I’ve helped thousands of children and adults sleep better, breathe better, and live healthier lives. If you or your child is struggling with snoring, grinding, fatigue, or mouth breathing, this may be the solution you’ve been looking for.
