This re-training program is scheduled to begin after the prescribed stretching exercises have been completed. The purpose of these exercises are to retrain proper neuro-muscular patterns.
All four exercises are to be performed 5 times/daily with 3 repetitions for each:
- Press Downs- Insert your pinky finger with the pad of your finger facing up toward the roof of the mouth. Then, apply brief pressure to the back of the tongue and downwards.
- Tongue Massage: Place your pinky finger with the pad facing down onto the front third of the tongue. Massage in a circular motion.
- Tongue Lateralization- Place your pinky finger with the pad facing down and follow the lower gum ridge, back and forth.
- Desensitization of the palate- Place your pinky finger with the pad of your finger facing up towards the roof of the mouth. Place your finger just behind the ridge of the upper gum line. Then slide your finger posterior and stop just before you would elicit the gag reflex and slide your finger out.
Re-training needs to be performed for 6 weeks.
This program was designed by Dr. Linda Slak of the Slak Institute.