East Central Reporter

HSHS St. Anthony’s Rehabilitation and Wellness has introduced Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT), a treatment aimed at retraining the muscles in the face, mouth, and throat to function properly. This therapy is now available to patients in the area who experience issues such as chronic mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnea, swallowing difficulties, speech clarity problems, orthodontic relapse, jaw pain associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), chronic head and neck discomfort, and selective eating patterns.

Tammy Probst, Rehab and Wellness Director at St. Anthony’s, explained the connection between these symptoms and muscle dysfunction: "Many people don't realize that issues like mouth breathing, snoring or difficulty swallowing can be interconnected and stem from improper muscle function," she said. "Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy gets to the root cause of these problems by retraining the muscles to work correctly, which can have a profound impact on your overall health and quality of life. We're seeing patients breathing better, sleeping more soundly, and experiencing significant improvements in their daily functioning."

Medical research indicates that untreated orofacial myofunctional disorders may result in long-term health consequences. For example, mouth breathing can bypass the body’s natural air filtration system and increase inflammation risks for adenoids and tonsils. Sleep-disordered breathing is also linked to negative effects on cognitive function and academic performance; studies have found that 40% of children with sleep disorders develop attention deficits or learning disabilities.

The OMT program at St. Anthony’s is led by Samantha Probst, a licensed speech-language pathologist with advanced training in this specialty. She treats both children and adults for oral and facial muscle dysfunctions affecting breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speech. "I am thankful for this opportunity to provide this unique service to the Effingham area, and I cannot wait to see how this new service line impacts so many individuals throughout a variety of ages," she said.

OMT is described as a safe approach that addresses several health concerns at once. Reported benefits include improved nasal breathing, better sleep quality, clearer speech, easier eating and swallowing, reduced pain levels, increased energy levels, and prevention of more serious health complications.

St. Anthony’s collaborates with other specialists such as orthodontists and ENT physicians when additional care is needed.

For those interested in learning more about Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy or scheduling an evaluation at HSHS St. Anthony’s Rehabilitation and Wellness, information is available by calling 217-347-1243.