Myofunctional Therapy, Airway Health, and Self-Advocacy with Kaitlyn ShrumHolly Joy McCabe interviews Kaitlyn Shrum, a speech-language pathologist and myofunctional therapist specializing in airway health, to explain myofunctional therapy as “physical therapy” for the tongue, lips, face, and neck to build correct resting posture (tongue suctioned to the palate, lips closed, teeth gently apart, nasal breathing) and improve swallowing, speech sounds, TMJ issues, nervous system regulation, and sleep-disordered breathing.

They discuss how dysfunctional breathing and poor tongue posture can contribute to fight-or-flight patterns, and how therapy can support sleep by strengthening oral and pharyngeal structures. Kaitlyn shares her own upper airway resistance syndrome experience and the role of dentistry and orthodontic history, while both discuss women being dismissed in healthcare and the need to advocate, seek open-minded practitioners, and take a multidimensional, connected approach to health. Kaitlyn can be found at

https://www.southernspeechandmyo.com/ and on

https://www.instagram.com/southernspeechandmyo/

Get a copy of her new book here https://a.co/d/0bgMJo6v 00:00 Show Intro01:37 Podcast Mission02:37 Meet Kaitlyn03:07 Breath Journey05:31 Kaitlyn Origin Story09:14 Myo Therapy Basics13:42 Whole Body Connections18:18 Tongue Vagus Link19:42 Sleep Breathing Impact22:53 UARS And Orthodontics26:55 Women Dismissed In Care35:39 Sponsor Magnesium Break38:13 Self Advocacy Tips40:05 Invisible Illness Bias41:11 Women Under Pressure43:34 Breathwork for Baseline44:41 Nasal Surgery Wakeup46:13 Body Awareness Skills51:30 Moms and Regulation53:40 Finding Myo Therapy56:06 Zoom Smile Assessment01:01:16 Asymmetry and Growth01:06:14 Posture Confidence Shift01:08:53 Key Takeaways Recap01:13:00 Advocacy and Medicine Gaps01:15:20 Where to Find Kaitlyn01:17:22 Final Wrap