Tongue and Airway
Dysfunction Course:

November 14-15, 2026
Wilmington, NC

LifeForce Physical Therapy
6752 Parker Farm Drive

Learn to treat:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome
Ankyloglossia (Tongue Tie)
Abnormal swallowing patterns
Sinus headache and pressure 

Don't miss potential root causes of TMD, head/neck/shoulder pain, stomatognathic dysfunction, classic posturing that is difficult to correct with typical postural correction methods and whole body myofascial dysfunction.

10 hrs on-line + 14 hours in-person
= 24 clock hours
(on-line content opens 2 weeks prior to in-person course. Content accessible for 12 weeks)

Myofunctional Kit is included in cost of course.

  •  On-line Discussion 

    With other learners
    and instructor

  • CEU course 

    See specifics for each course

  • 24 hours Total

    Course duration

  • Current evidence

    Key research papers


    Tongue and Airway Dysfunction: What are we missing as PTs?



    Learn what you never got in PT school: treating  tongue and airway dysfunction

    Clinical evidence shows that myofunctional training is effective for ankyloglossia (tongue tie) and nasal/pharyngeal airway dysfunction to help patients with airway-posture dysfunction, sleep disordered breathing, mouth breathing and anterior tongue thrust.

    With this course, you become an expert in adding these skills to your tool box to help your TMD, headache and cervical pain patients.

    Courses qualify towards required specialty CEUs for application to sit for the CCTT certification exam.

    Attract an expanded referral base of dental professionals, ENTs, maxillo-facial surgeons and other facial pain specialists.

    Course Syllabus

    The Tongue and Airway Course is an intensive, in-person course that is blended with online didactic education for a comprehensive 24 contact-hour learning experience.

    Blended Course Format:
    • In-person instruction (14 hours): Demonstrations and guided hands-on practice of examination and treatment techniques. Case discussion.

    • On-line Learning (10 hours): Foundational knowledge to prepare participants for the in-person segment. Video lectures, select key articles to read and short quizzes to assess and consolidate learning. Online discussion community to communicate with the instructor and fellow students. On-line access to these resources continues for 6 months after the initial access date. 
    Purpose:
    This course is designed to minimize lecture time during in-person sessions, allowing for an engaging, skill-oriented learning environment. The goal is to:
    1. Deliver high-quality, in-depth, evidence-informed education on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).
    2. Equip participants with practical skills for immediate application in their clinical practice.
    3. Refine and enhance existing skills or introduce a new specialty area to a participant's professional scope.

    Learning Objectives:
    • Analyze the functional impact of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) on craniofacial development, airway latency, cervical posture, breathing mechanics, orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders as relevant to physical therapy practice.
    • Demonstrate physical therapy-appropriate clinical assessment of tongue and airway function including evaluation of tongue posture, swallowing patterns, postural influences and associated neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction.
    • Analyze abnormal tongue posture, swallowing mechanics and nasal airway function and their influence on dental occlusion, airway stability, respiratory efficiency, posture and physical performance.
    • Evaluate mechanisms of nasal airway compromise/collapse and identify implications for PT assessment, conservative interventions and interdisciplinary referrals.
    • Apply PT interventions to restore nasal breathing, airway/breathing mechanics and breathing efficiency while integrating postural, neuromuscular and respiratory strategies.
    • Evaluate the signs and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing that are relevant to PT management, risk stratification and referral.
    • Assess cranial nerve IX (Glossophayrngeal)  and XII (Hypoglossal) function as it relates to swallowing, airway stability, neuromuscular control and pain syndromes within the scope of physical therapy.
    • Analyze the role of the tongue-airway complex in glottal control and it's integration into diaphragmatic and pelvic floor function during breathing, ADLs and  postural control.
    • Design and implement integrated rehabilitation strategies addressing tongue function, airway mechanics, glottal control, diaphragmatic breathing and pelvic floor synergy to improve breathing coordination and postural control.
    • Develop comprehensive PT treatment plans for patients with airway-related dysfunction involving the tongue, swallowing mechanics, postural and potential cranial nerve involvement.
    • Design and teach patient-centered self-care  and home program strategies to support long-term management of tongue and airway health.
    • Communicate and collaborate effectively within and interdisciplinary healthcare team including primary care physicians, neurologists, ENT's dentists and other specialists.
    • Integrate a biopsychosocial framework when evaluating and treating tongue and airway patients.

    In-Person Lab Schedule:

    Saturday

    7:30-8:00 Registration

    8:00-9:30 Introduction, Clinical evaluation of tongue and airway including safety-screening. 

    9:30-10:00 Assessment of cranial nerves IX and XII.

    10:00-10:15 Break

    10:15-11:45 Screening the region: cranium, cervical spine/scapula and craniomandibular regions.

    11:45-12:15 Manual therapy for the sinuses and tongue-related function..

    12:15-1:15 Lunch (on own)

    1:15-3:15 Myofunctional exercise: tongue training for posture, nasal breathing, speech elements, swallowing and mastication. 

    3:15-3:30 Break

    3:30-5:00 Myofunctional exercise, continued.



    Sunday

    8:00-9:00 Functional relationships of the airway: connecting the glottis to the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

    9:00-10:00 Glottis-Respiratory diaphragm-Pelvic floor dysfunction and treatment.

    10:00-10:15 Break

    10:15-11:15 Breathing exercises: changing our physiology through breathing. Breathing drills for chronic non-specific low back pain, postural alignment and pelvic floor optimization. 

    11:15-12:15 Posture and exercise looking at the whole patient: focus on slow-twitch muscles, proprioception and motor control.

    12:15-1:15 Lunch (on own)

    1:15-2:15 Nasal airway treatment for sleep and exercise.

    2:15-3:15 Capnometry and nasal release technique demonstration.

    3:15-3:45 Influence of other regions/dysfunctions: cranium, headaches, WAD=Whiplash Associated Disorder and craniovertebral region. 

    Dr. Liz Henry

    PT, DSc, OCS, COMT, FAAOMPT, CCTT
    Patrick Jones - Course author