Breathe Easier, Live Easier

Always feel short of breath? We retrain how you breathe, here in Ottawa.

“In the Buteyko group the proportion with asthma control increased from 40% to 79%.”

- Cowie RL, Conley DP, Underwood MF, Reader PG

The Pattern

Many people overbreathe - too fast, too high in the chest - causing air hunger even at rest.

The Skill

We teach nasal, diaphragmatic breathing, + open the airway, to calm the body and make breathing feel easier.

The Plan

Short daily micro-routines (2-5 min) + biweekly coaching.

Safe, practical, measurable.

Is This You?

Can’t get a deep breath unless you sigh or yawn
Mouth breathing and a dry throat, day or night
Breathing lives in the upper chest/neck
Winded by stairs, conversations, or mild stress
Faster breathing at rest or frequent overbreathing
Waking unrefreshed; dry mouth in the morning

*If you have chest pain, wheeze, fainting, or blue lips/fingers, seek urgent care first.

Chest vs. Diaphragmatic Breathing

Chest

Fast, shallow, shoulders lift

Accessory muscles overworked

Chronic hyperventilation - low CO₂ - air hunger

Feeds fight-or-flight; tension, anxiety

Diaphragm

Quiet, slow, light, nasal

Lower ribs expand gently

Better CO₂ balance - calmer breath, increased O₂ intake

Easier energy throughout the day

60-Second Self-Check

Sit tall. One hand on upper chest, one on your belly.
Breathe quietly through your nose for 6–10 breaths.
If the top hand lifts first/most → chest-dominant.
If the lower hand widens gently → diaphragm engaged.

What We Do

Nasal Breathing Skills

Goal: Decongest the nose, clear sinuses, open the airway, tone the lips.

How: Gentle nasal prep, lip-seal cues, light/quiet breathing.

Diaphragm Mechanics

Goal: Low-rib expansion; build tone and flexibility in the diaphragm; soften neck/jaw.

How: Graduated breathing exercises so the lower ribs begin to expand 360° while shoulders stay relaxed.

Overbreathing Reduction

Goal: Rebuild CO₂ tolerance, reduce air hunger, support steadier oxygen delivery.

How: Slow, light nasal breathing by day and night; smaller, calmer breaths.

Oral Posture

Goal: Tongue-to-palate, lip seal, calm jaw support.

How: Rest tongue gently suctioned on the palate, lips lightly together, teeth slightly apart; breathe through the nose.

Sleep-Aware Habits

Goal: Support an open airway and calmer breathing overnight.

How: Evening nasal prep, night airway therapy; coordination with your dentist/MD as needed.

Try This

Inhale so just your lower (belly) hand expands; keeping the chest hand still. Practice this through the day.

Struggling With This

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Breathing Benefits of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Person waking rested with relaxed breathing and posture

Nasal nitric oxide (NO)

Nasal breathing naturally releases small amounts of NO. It helps airways stay open, supports blood flow, and adds mild antimicrobial defense in the nose.

Better oxygen use throughout the body

Calmer, slower nasal breathing improves the way oxygen is delivered to your tissues, so you feel less winded during everyday tasks.

Bohr effect

When you stop “chasing air” and allow healthy CO₂ levels, your blood lets go of oxygen more easily to the muscles and brain.

Deeper, calmer diaphragmatic breaths

Low-rib expansion gives those deep, satisfying breaths without shoulder/neck strain.

Calmer nervous system (Vagus support)

Quiet, nasal breathing helps down-shift fight-or-flight and encourages a steadier, relaxed state.

Better, more refreshing sleep

More nasal breathing and less mouth breathing reduce dryness and night wakings; you wake feeling more rested.

More steady energy

Fewer breath spikes and less air hunger mean smoother energy through the day.

Less upper-back and neck tension

Breathing with the diaphragm lets the accessory muscles (SCM, scalenes, upper traps) relax.

Jaw comfort

Tongue-to-palate posture and lip seal support a more open nasal airway and calmer jaw muscles, easing clenching, overworked patterns.

Your Myofunctional Therapy Breathing Plan

Simple daily skills. Real-life results.

01. Free Consultation

We listen to your symptoms and concerns and explain how breathing retraining works. You’ll learn what we do and whether it fits your goals. Clear next steps, no pressure.

02. Assessment & Baseline Exam

A detailed look at your breathing pattern: oral posture, lip toning, airway, congestion, and muscle imbalances. We take thorough measurements to map disorders and identify where your specific breathing difficulties stem from.

03. Diagnosis & Tailored Treatment Plan

We put your findings into a clear picture: what’s happening, why it feels that way, and how we can help. Your plan is tailored to your needs and abilities, including simple micro-routines, frequency, and how we’ll measure progress.

04. Coaching & Progress

Step-by-step exercises you can do daily (2–5 minutes at a time). You’ll see results build—breathing feels easier, energy steadier, and the neck/chest strain fades. We review, fine-tune, and expand skills as you improve.

What Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is focused “muscle and habit” training for the tongue, lips, jaw, and airway. We teach nasal, diaphragm-led breathing and healthy oral posture (tongue to palate, lips closed, jaw relaxed) so breathing feels calmer and more efficient—day and night. This reduces mouth breathing, chest-dominant overbreathing, frequent sighing/yawning, and that “can’t get a full breath” feeling, while easing neck/throat tightness.

Therapy starts with a detailed breathing-focused assessment (posture, nose vs. mouth use, rib movement), then simple targeted exercises and micro-routines that you weave into daily life—during rest, conversations, light activity, and sleep. By restoring low-rib expansion and airway-supportive tongue posture, you build steadier CO₂ tolerance, smoother nasal airflow, and a quieter rhythm—so you feel less winded and more at ease.

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Frequently asked questions

Why am I short of breath if medical tests are normal?

Often a pattern—chest-dominant, fast mouth breathing, lowers CO₂, preventing adequate O₂ intake, triggering air hunger.

Do you use Buteyko breathing techniques?

Yes. We blend slow, light, nasal breathing with posture and CO₂ tolerance exercises.

Do I have to tape my mouth?

Not necessarily. We focus on skills first (nasal prep, lip seal, tongue posture). Lip tape can be a temporary aid to relax facial muscles, tone lips, and support habitual closure—introduced slowly (daytime first, once comfortable and forgettable → then night). Avoid if you have nasal blockage or other contraindications; we’ll screen you first.

How soon will I feel a difference?

Many notice calmer breathing within a few months; deeper, automatic habit change typically builds over the year with consistent practice and coaching.

I have allergies and/or asthma—can you still help?

Yes. We don’t treat medical conditions, but many patients with allergies or asthma find breathing feels surprisingly easier once therapy is completed.

What age can we start?

All ages. We tailor Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy to the person. Most kids do well starting around 4–5 years old (depending on maturity and ability to follow simple cues). For younger children, we use a more basic, play-based program with short sessions and strong parent involvement.

When should I see a doctor first?

Immediately for chest pain, wheeze, fainting, vertigo, blue lips/fingers, or sudden severe breathlessness.