KEEP-THE-POINT

Myofunktional Exercise  Collection

Application:

The POINTPOSTURE being the correct physiological stand-by  position of the tongue tip is the key-element in all further therapeutic endeavour, at least in the stomatognathic an cervicocranial systems. It, moreover, influences the posture of head, neck, shoulder girdle and trunk.

Contents:

The tongue has to be trained for lying with its frontal rim (and here the term ‘tip’ might be assented) with a tip as small as possible softly on the Papilla Incisiva at all purposes where the function does not request an other position. (See further details in paragraph ‘Discussion’.

Materials:

Exercise specific, see ‘Discussion’.

Procedure:

- Previous exercises: For propaedeutic exercises, procedures and successions see especially TONGUE-TIP-ORIENTATION.

For this exercise there exists no particular course as for a step sequence; there exists the usual  instruction for the patient by means of which it should be intensively developed  during a ‘lesson’ to hold the tongue tip correctly positioned, to train this, control it and to accept it as a permanent state.

-Starting position: It is recommended to take up the  BASIC-POSITION or, at least, the SITTING-POSITION  .

- Step-by-step-description:

After the principle has been demonstrated for which purpose the exercise DRIVING SEAT is extremely well suitable treatment may be continued with one of the exercises lined up in the later inserted scheme.

-Timing: As for sequencing it should be remarked that the complex of exercises with the learning aim of a physiological POINTPOSTURE represents the first and basic phase of an MFT-Training.

Therefore now defined time statement for exercise length or course is preset, the norm condition should exist.

Characteristics:

Education Exercise.

Remarks:

Surely such basic conditions should be worked out very accurately.

Discussion:

The orientation of the front rim of the tongue shaped as pointed as possible to a tip resting on the incisal papilla represents the first step towards the correction of the total tongue posture or positioning. This first step will arouse in our patient an awareness for the procedures in the oral cavity, the orofacial, stomathognatic system as well as in the neighbouring regions of neck and throat. It will show the possibility of influencing the respective musculature.

The therapist, in turn, knows that by installing the POINTPOSTURE not only the fundament for the subsequent therapy steps is laid but that additionally positive reactions in the broader environs are provoked facilitating the work-out of exercises for the correction of the existing dysfunction. The prevention of relapses is effectively encoded. The, moreover, noticeable mental influence of the posture will not be discussed in detail, here. It may, nevertheless, be mentioned that in competitive sports this tongue position is of relevance and that it is needed for certain mental concentration exercises.

Interventions in the mouth hole of any kind be it on surgical, orthodontic, prosthetic or patholinguistic reason should efficiently provide the possibility to take up this posture by the patient.

This POINPOSTURE is being trained by several exercises (A), others are requesting it as starting position (B) (see also TONGUE-TIP-ORIENTATION). (See diagram at end of chapter).

Instructions:

This exercise will be good for people who already know the PROVE-THE-POINT.

The tongue-tip should know where its favourite site is. The mouth opens wide, the tongue-tip peeps out. Now, look into the mirror and, slowly, move backwards and up to the POINT, the little gummy lump in the middle just behind the upper incisors. This POINT is very essential for the PAUSE-POSITION of the whole face. Very often we find this position mentioned in other exercises. It is the important pause and starting point for so many muscle movements. Therefore you really need to learn seeing to it constantly without especially thinking of it, even at night.

The tongue will cling to this spot, its POINT as if glued to it. This is the place from where the tongue carries out its job in the whole mouth – speak, swallow, keep the teeth upright. She should sit there quite relaxed without waggling about. If you, then, shut your mouth and afterwards open it again the tongue should equally sit on the same spot not touching the teeth anywhere nor slipping backwards or down.

The procedure:

Tongue to the POINT – mouth shut – count to twenty – hold on to the POINT and open the mouth – mirror control and once more:

Mouth open, tongue out, slowly to the POINT, mouth shut, count to twenty, mouth open, control; ten times in succession.

The POINT not only “sometimes” in the training but always and ever!

For it’s the home of the tongue!