Whole-Body Wellness starts with the way you Breathe, Swallow, and Sleep.

At LaRocca Wellness, we treat the cause, not just the symptoms — through evidence-based, non-invasive myofunctional therapy tailored to your needs.

We specialize in transforming your health for life. Taking a holistic approach to improving pain symptoms and sleep complications while collaborating with a team of healthcare providers.

What is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy is a unique treatment that focuses on retraining the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue to support better oral health and function. Through a series of targeted exercises, this therapy aims to correct improper habits such as mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, and incorrect swallowing patterns.

Myofunctional therapy goes beyond just straightening teeth. It works to address the underlying muscle dysfunctions that can lead to a range of issues, including poor posture, sleep apnea, and developmental problems in the face and jaw. By strengthening and rebalancing these muscles, myofunctional therapy can help prevent future dental and skeletal issues and improve overall well-being.

“I had a sprained jaw as the result of a tooth being pulled. I couldn’t even get one finger between my teeth. I struggled for 6 weeks.

Once I was referred to Jen, it was a gamechanger! We did facetime calls. She was always pleasant and encouraging. The main excercises she gave me to do worked! I’m so thankful I found her!

- Penny

Why Myofunctional Therapy?

Improve Breathing & Airway Function

By retraining the muscles of the face, tongue, and mouth, it helps optimize essential functions like breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speaking. When these muscles work in harmony, the benefits ripple throughout the body—supporting better sleep, enhanced focus, improved posture, and even reduced tension and pain in the jaw, neck, and shoulders.

Support Orthodontic & Dental Health

It’s commonly used alongside orthodontic treatment to ensure long-term stability. By correcting habits like tongue thrust or improper swallowing, it helps align the teeth and jaws naturally and can prevent relapse after braces or other dental work. It also supports proper facial development in children.

The Process

Assessment

First, we need to evaluate how your tongue rests, how you breathe (nose vs. mouth), your swallowing patterns, and other oral habits like nail biting, clenching, or tongue thrusting.

Personalized Excercise Program

Integration of a series of simple, targeted exercises designed to strengthen weak muscles and correct improper habits. These may include tongue positioning, lip seal, nasal breathing training, and swallowing techniques.

Repetition & Habit Formation

Just like building strength at the gym, consistency is key. With daily practice, the body begins to form new muscle memory, which helps reinforce healthier patterns—like keeping the tongue on the roof of the mouth, breathing through the nose, and swallowing properly.

Integration with other Treatments

Myofunctional therapy often works hand-in-hand with ENTs, orthodontists, allergists, or sleep specialists. By addressing the root muscular causes, you’ll create support for better, longer-lasting results in those areas.

FAQ

  • Myofunctional therapy is a type of neuromuscular re-education for the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue. We focus on improving how you breathe, chew, swallow, and rest — all of which play a huge role in overall health. Think of it like physical therapy, but for your mouth and airway.

  • Children, teens, and adults! Common reasons people seek therapy include:

    • TMJ pain, clenching or grinding

    • Orthodontic relapse (teeth shifting after braces)

    • Mouth breathing or snoring

    • Chronic fatigue or poor sleep

    • Speech challenges

    • Tongue/lip ties (before or after release)

  • We’ll dive into your health history, symptoms, and goals. I’ll take photos and videos to identify areas of concern or compensation. I’ll also perform a functional exam of your tongue, lips, jaw, and facial muscles, and we’ll talk about what might be going on — and whether therapy is the right next step for you.

  • Everyone is different, but most therapy plans run 3–6 months, with weekly or biweekly sessions. The goal is lasting change, so we work at a pace that allows your muscles (and your habits) to adapt and stick.

  • I don’t bill insurance directly, but I can provide a superbill with diagnostic and treatment codes that you can submit to your insurance company.
    I do accept HSA/FSA cards, which many clients use for therapy.

  • Not usually. Myofunctional therapy is a separate service, but I regularly collaborate with orthodontists, airway dentists, ENTs, speech therapists, and other professionals to provide holistic care. We’re all part of the same team.

  • Yes! Myofunctional therapy can be done virtually or in person, depending on your needs and location. We’ll discuss what works best for you.

  • LaRocca Wellness is located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, near Lincoln and Belmont. The exact address will be shared after your complimentary discovery call, once we decide that myofunctional therapy is the right next step for you.

  • Easy — just book an initial consultation! We’ll figure out what’s going on and if therapy is a good fit. No pressure, no hard sell — just answers.

Who are We?

Hi, I’m Jen! I’m a myofunctional therapist helping people breathe easier, sleep better, and feel more at ease. With a background in dental hygiene and my own experience with jaw and sleep issues, I understand how frustrating it can be to search for answers. My approach is supportive, personalized, and focused on lasting results. Whether you’re dealing with TMJ pain, mouth breathing, or chronic tension, I’m here to help.

Let’s start your path to feeling better!