Theresa Pena, AOMT-C®
Certified Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist & Accredited Breathing Instructor
Together, We Build Daily Habits to Create Lifelong Change.
-
My practice is located in San Luis Obispo, CA. I provide both in-office and virtual sessions so you can choose what works best for your schedule and comfort.
-
I believe meaningful care starts with listening. Every patient is met with attention, respect, and an individualized plan that reflects their unique needs and experiences. My role is to support, guide, and partner with you, creating a space where questions are welcomed and progress feels achievable.
-
I work with adults, teens, and children (ages 5+) providing individualized care tailored to your needs.
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is a therapeutic program that evaluates and retrains the function of the orofacial muscles, swallow pattern, and breathing habits. Myofunctional therapy focuses on neuromuscular re-education for the orofacial system through structured exercises to restore healthy patterns and function.
Who Can Benefit From Myofunctional Therapy?
Those With:
-
Myofunctional therapy addresses neuromuscular dysfunction and jaw instability by retraining orofacial and jaw muscles to reduce clenching, grinding, and temporomandibular strain while supporting improved breathing patterns and muscle relaxation.
-
Myofunctional therapy strengthens your tongue and orofacial muscles to improve airway stability, reduce snoring, and support better sleep quality.
-
Myofunctional therapy improves your tongue mobility and orofacial muscle function before release and supports healing afterward through guided exercises, to help reduce scar tissue formation and improve your tongue’s range of motion and function.
-
Myofunctional therapy retrains your tongue posture, chewing, and swallowing patterns to improve oral muscle function, reduce compensatory habits, and prevent orthodontic relapse.
-
By addressing your tongue’s resting oral posture, myofunctional therapy helps shift breathing from your mouth to your nose, supporting better sleep, facial development, and oral health.
-
Myofunctional therapy is beneficial for individuals with hypermobility or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) because it emphasizes coordination , stability, and efficient function rather than strengthening through force. In hEDS, connective tissue laxity and altered proprioception can impact the tongue, airway, and breathing patterns. As someone who lives with hEDS, I understand firsthand how pain, fatigue, and nervous system dysregulation affect daily function.
Myofunctional therapy uses gentle, individualized exercises to improve neuromuscular control, support functional breathing and airway stability and reduce strain on the jaw, neck, and facial muscles, while honoring the need for pacing and nervous system regulation.