Q: What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
A: OSA occurs when the airway collapses or is blocked during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. These interruptions reduce oxygen levels and fragment sleep, leading to daytime fatigue and increased health risks.
Q: What are the risks of untreated sleep apnea in adults?
A: Untreated OSA is linked to:
- High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
- Stroke and diabetes
- Daytime sleepiness and reduced work performance
- Mood changes, irritability, or depression
- Increased risk of accidents from drowsy driving
Q: What are non-surgical treatments for sleep apnea?
A: Non-surgical interventions include:
- CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): Gold standard treatment; keeps airway open with gentle air pressure.
- Oral appliances: Dental devices that reposition the jaw or tongue to keep the airway clear.
- Weight management & lifestyle changes: Reducing inflammation, improving airway tone.
- Positional therapy: Avoiding back sleeping to reduce airway collapse.
- Myofunctional therapy (at BreatheWorks): Retrains oral and airway muscles to reduce symptoms and improve breathing.
Q: How does myofunctional therapy help adult sleep apnea?
A: Therapy strengthens airway muscles and retrains habits to:
- Improve tongue strength and tone
- Restore proper oral rest posture (tongue on palate, lips sealed, teeth apart)
- Support nasal breathing
- Reduce snoring and mild-to-moderate OSA symptoms
- Enhance continuous positive airway pressure or oral appliance success rates
- Improve overall sleep quality and daytime energy
Q: Who benefits most from therapy-based interventions?
A:
- Adults with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
- Adults struggling with CPAP compliance
- Patients with airway restriction, mouth breathing, or oral posture issues
- Post-surgical patients needing airway muscle rehabilitation
- Adults seeking to reduce snoring and improve sleep without surgery
Q: How does BreatheWorks evaluate adults for sleep apnea therapy?
A: Our team assesses:
- Breathing patterns (mouth vs. nasal)
- Tongue posture and airway function
- Swallowing and oral muscle coordination
- Sleep history (snoring, fatigue, waking patterns)
We coordinate with sleep specialists, ENTs, dentists, and primary care providers for a comprehensive approach.
Q: Can therapy for sleep apnea be done virtually?
A: Yes. Our telehealth program is equally effective as in-person care. Virtual therapy includes:
- Evaluations of breathing, posture, and swallowing
- Live exercise coaching for airway strengthening
- Progress tracking and ongoing home support
This allows adults nationwide to access specialized care.
Q: Where are your clinics located?
A: In-person care is available at:
- Portland, Oregon
- Eugene, Oregon
- Lake Oswego, Oregon
- Bellevue, Washington
- Amarillo, Texas
We also offer virtual care nationwide.
Quick FAQs
Can sleep apnea be treated without surgery? Yes—CPAP, oral appliances, lifestyle changes, and myofunctional therapy are effective non-surgical options.
Does myofunctional therapy replace CPAP? Not always. Therapy can reduce symptoms and improve tolerance, but severe OSA usually requires CPAP or medical intervention.
Can weight loss cure sleep apnea? Weight loss may reduce severity, but airway structure and muscle tone also play major roles.
How long does myofunctional therapy take? Most adults see improvement within 3–6 months of consistent therapy.
Next Steps
If sleep apnea is affecting your health, non-surgical therapy can strengthen your airway and improve your sleep.
- Schedule a sleep apnea consultation (in-person or virtual)
- Providers: Refer a patient to BreatheWorks
