
Feeding Therapy Program
For Infants with Poor Suck and Children with Motor Impairment.
Oromotor Massage Techniques
Oral-massaging techniques are often an effective part of feeding therapy. These techniques focus on improving the use and function of the face (lips, tongue, and jaw) through movement, coordination, and strength exercises. Adequate oral function of the lips, tongue, and jaw is necessary to perform common activities of daily living such as eating, drinking, and speaking.
What's Oral Massage Techniques and Who can benifit ?
Feeding Therapy Techniques

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Drooling
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Suck their thumb
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Have facial paralysis or weakness
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Exhibit incoordination (difficulty coordinating muscles of the face to perform a desired function such as eating)
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Have low muscle tone in the lips, tongue, and/or jaw
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Experience increase / decrease oral sensation or awareness
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Have difficulty swallowing
Oral-massaging techniques may benefit individuals who:
Why use Oral - massage techniques ?
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Using deep pressure or touch massage helps a person who is overly sensitive to touch become calmer and more relaxed (Ayres, Robbins, & McAfee, 2005, p. 144).
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Providing touch and movement information helps an individual improve awareness and oral-motor function; “wakes-up” the mouth.
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Stimulating the immediate area of touch as well as the bone structures of the face through vibration, allows additional sensation/stimulation that activates the vestibular system (helps an individual feel body position and movement) (Ayres et al., p.144).
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Increases facial tone and range of motion.
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Provides additional sensory input.
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Helps decrease pain and oral-sensitivity.
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Increases muscle response of the lips, tongue, and jaw by “waking” them up.
Food Refusal - Is it Oral Motor or Sensory Related ?
Different types of Oral Massage and Why use Oral Massage ?
How to teach Biting and Chewing Skills ?
Gum Massage " Oral Massage Techniques"
Referent : ARK therapeutic
How to teach Develop a Rotary Chewing Pattern ?