MOUTHBREATHING

Myofunktional Exercise  Collect ion

Application:

This chapter gives a general description of a collective group of exercises that will help correct a dysfunction which should rather be seen as a syndrome.

As can already be read from the heading this chapter sums up exercises which are used for controlling the respiratory passages. Similarly in the case of treating a habitual mouth breathing the therapy succession-plan of Sensitation, Orientation and so forth is viable as described in the scheme (BASIC RULES FOR A COURSE OF ACTION). The exercises should be organized respectively.

As well reviewed in this chapter is the problem of the Open Mouth Posture (OMP).

In principle these are two quite different topics – Mouth Breathing is the class description of the impairment of a function as OMP the description of a disturbed posture – never the less both problems frequently are occurring collectively.

Because of the differing nature or concern, though, the OMP is especially stressed in this chapter (see paragraph “Discussion”).

Contents:

Playful experiencing of the own body with the specific target of Mouth-breathing, mostly in connection with foreign manipulation as stretching, massaging or physiotherapeutic measures.

Materials:

Exercise specific.

Procedure:

- Previous exercises: Here mostly motivational exercises will be applied.

The 7 classification points

(the 7 ‘Qualities’, Frame Conditions)

-Timing. In general the Timing follows the planning of the overall therapy concept within the rules of the above mentioned concept of action ; the particularly timing will have to be composed from the special exercises employed.

Characteristics:

Exercise specific.

Remarks:

The disorders mostly are quite complex and, thus, need a comprehensive overall therapy planning (7 ‘Qualities’) which should result from a diagnostic scheme following ‚step-by-step’ the same classification points (“if a chain is broken not obligatorily all links must be damaged”).

Discussion:

Multiple exercises are suggested for a respiration control. These are exercises in the overall programme which are pointedly dealing with coordination problems and moreover with patient motivation.

In their process frequently the therapist is involved as training partner, fulfils the vital task of a physiotherapist or applies applications similar to those of medical gymnastics or massaging.

So in these cases the patient gets significantly manipulated. As therapeutic measures this is very effective anyhow disregarding the frame of muscle-‘function’- therapeutic exercises thus not being discussed in this connection.

It is a similar case with the GAME EXERCISE (see TRUNK- CIRCLING and MOTIVATION EXERCISES ’Discussion’). With these, too, the function training of the impaired muscle is indeed the intention of the exercise, the content, though, is aiming at the therapeutic, motivating game with the patient while the MFT exercise is to address the disordered area pointedly on the muscle physiological basis. Consequently the NOSEBLOW EXERCISE is directed at making the patient occupy himself with his nose and the air stream in a playful way; a particular muscle region is not envisaged. (On a barbed fitting for tubing the mouth piece of an air balloon is fitted and the equipment held to the one hole of the nose while a finger closes the other one. The balloon, then, is blown up out of the lungs.

By this the training addresses the Diaphragm, the Intercostal Musculature and additionally the lips respectively the Velum closure. The training procedure means a lot of fun but will not be able to address a single muscle group of the Orofacial Musculature intentionally).

As discussed above the List Of EXERCISES to be executed differs through the classification by definition.

For the dysfunction MOUTHBREATHING therefore specific air stream exercises have to be carried out while a somewhat larger program has to be available for the OMP.

In the follow will at first be compiled the:

LIST OF EXERCISES FOR MOUTH BREATHER

(for practicing air stream control)

BALLOON

BLOW THE BALL

,CHA'

BLOW THE FLAKE

GARGLE

BLOW THE  STRAW

STRAW SUCKING

,K-K-K’-EXERCISE

‚KICK’

NOSEBLOW EXERCISE

,P-P-P’-EXERCISE

WHISTLING KETTLE

TRUMBONE

POO-EXERCISE

PEA-SHOOTER

PHARYNX-CLOSING-EXERCISES

SNORKEL

SOAPBUBBLES

TONOMETER EXERCISES

WATER PUMP

LIST OF EXERCISES FOR OMH

In the subsequent listing all exercises are compiled being relevant for contributing to adjust an existing OMH (Open Mouth Posture).

The group categories for the target area of the musculature are set in behind the exercise name thus marking the general aiming direction of the exercise.

While the exercises for mouth breathers specially aim at respiration air-stream control the correction of OMH needs a broader therapeutic approach.

At the beginning mostly the general body posture is addressed. The selection of the follow-up of the target areas within the total therapy planning should be determined referring to the focal point of the disorder.

The target areas are delineated in the following sketch and classification. (see illustration above)

   I. Orbicularis exercises

 II. Cheek exercises

III. Adductor exercises

IV. Tongue body exerc.

 V. Velum and Pharynx exerc.

VI. General posture

(The group category is put behind the exercise name showing the aiming direction of the exercise)

OPEN AND CLOSE                            III

BALLOON                                            II

CONDUCTOR                                       I

THE PEA                                              III

PODGY TONGUE- SLIM TONGUE IV

DUCKBILL                                            I

YAWNING MAN                                 V

BASIC -POSITION                              VI

GARGLE                                               V

HOLD- AND-PULL                              IV

BACK-CENTRE-FRONT                    VI

CAT’S HUNCHED BACK                  IV

,K-K-K’-EXERCISE                             V

CHERRY MOUTH                                 I

,L’-POSITION                                      VI

CLOWNY                                               I

,L-M’-POSITION                                 VI

,M’- POSITION                                 VI

MASSETER EXERCISE                   III

MENTALIS MASSAGE                      I

MENTALIS STRETCH                       I

NOSEBLOW EXERCISE                  IV

,O’-EXERCISE                                     I

PLATELET-HOLDER                         I

KEEP-THE-POINT                            IV

TRUNK- EXERCISE                            I

RESTPOSITION                                VI

TIED- UP SACK                                   I

SITTING-POSITION                         VI

Instructions:-see respective exercise.