Swallowing difficulties

Common questions about swallowing difficulties

What counts as a swallowing problem?

A swallowing problem — what clinicians call dysphagia — is any persistent difficulty moving food or liquid safely and comfortably from the mouth to the stomach. Signs include coughing or choking during meals, food or liquid going up into the nose, a gurgly voice after swallowing, taking a long time to finish a meal, or unexplained weight loss. Atypical swallow patterns, like a tongue thrust, are a related but distinct concern.

Can myofunctional therapy help with dysphagia?

Myofunctional therapy can help with the oral-phase part of swallowing — tongue movement, lip seal, and the coordination needed to move food and liquid. For medical dysphagia with structural or neurological causes, the speech-language pathologist is the primary clinician, and therapy is part of a coordinated plan. For atypical swallow patterns without an underlying medical cause, myofunctional therapy is often the primary approach.

What's the difference between myofunctional therapy and speech therapy for swallowing?

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) diagnose and treat swallowing disorders, particularly dysphagia. Myofunctional therapy focuses on the muscle and pattern side — tongue posture, swallow pattern, lip seal, and breathing. The two overlap: SLPs and myofunctional therapists often work together, especially when atypical swallow, tongue thrust, or tongue-tie is part of the picture. Our Orofacial Myology for Speech Support (/services#speech-support) service is built around that collaboration.

What is swallowing therapy?

Swallowing therapy is a structured program to retrain the muscles and patterns involved in moving food and liquid safely from the mouth to the stomach. It is provided by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) for medical dysphagia and by myofunctional therapists for atypical swallow patterns without an underlying medical cause. At 502 MYO in Louisville, we work on the oral-phase and muscle-pattern side of swallowing, often in coordination with your SLP or physician. Common reasons for referral include tongue thrust, tongue-tie (before or after release), mouth breathing, and difficulty initiating a swallow.

Can adults benefit from swallowing therapy?

Yes. Adults who have had a persistent atypical swallow pattern since childhood — or who developed one after a tongue-tie release, orthodontic treatment, or other change — can absolutely learn a mature swallow. The program is typically 4-6 months of focused daily practice with periodic in-person check-ins. Many adults also see improvements in related concerns (mouth breathing, jaw comfort, speech clarity) as the swallow pattern normalizes.

What is the connection between swallowing difficulties and sleep?

Many adults and children with sleep-disordered breathing also have atypical swallow patterns, mouth breathing, and low tongue posture. The muscle-and-posture drivers of the swallowing issue are often the same drivers of the sleep issue. Addressing the swallow and tongue posture tends to help both. If you snore, mouth-breathe at night, or have been told you have sleep-disordered breathing, mention this at your initial evaluation so we can address the full picture.