Wolff's Law and Myofunctional Therapy

Meet Julius Wolff, the German surgeon behind the phrase "use it or lose it." If you've ever said these words, you've unknowingly quoted Wolff, whose research on bone density led to this widely recognized concept. Through his studies, he discovered that bones grow and adapt in response to the forces placed upon them. What was once a theory has since become a well-established scientific law.

Wolff's law can be seen in everyday life. Astronauts who spend extended periods in space, where gravity is absent, experience a decrease in bone density. On the other hand, weightlifters typically show an increase in bone density due to the regular forces placed on their bones during training. Thanks to Julius Wolff and his groundbreaking discovery, healthcare adapted, just like our bones!

Wolff's law is now applied in various healthcare fields, including Physical Therapy, Orthodontics, and Myofunctional Therapy. In Myofunctional Therapy, this principle helps support proper development in growing children and alleviates muscle strain in adults.

In children, we have the ability to influence their growth patterns by applying forces in the right way. For example, gentle, consistent pressure from the tongue on the palate encourages wide palatal growth, which also helps expand the nasal cavity. Similarly, the light pressure of gently closed lips can guide the teeth to come in straight and vertical, rather than flaring outward.

In adulthood, bones are still influenced by the muscles of the orofacial complex, but at a slower rate. If you had orthodontics as a child but later noticed your teeth shifting or crowding, this could be a possible reason. Adult patients may also experience more pain and discomfort, such as headaches or neck and shoulder tension. In therapy, I use neuromuscular exercises to reduce muscle strain and help reeducate the muscles to rest in their intended positions, alleviating pain and discomfort.

In closing, I want to leave you with a question. On average, a person swallows about 500 to 700 times a day, and each time we swallow, we engage approximately 30 muscles in the orofacial region. A proper swallow is a key goal in therapy for all my patients. If you're not swallowing correctly, how much force do you think is being applied to your facial bones in an improper way?

For all your myofunctional therapy needs, scheduling is just a click away. You can also click the links below to learn more about Wolff's Law.

Schedule Today!

Wang, J., Chen, W., Hou, Z. Y., Lyu, H. Z., Zhu, Y. B., & Zhang, Y. Z. (2019). Law of dynamic deformation of bone. Chinese medical journal, 132(21), 2636–2637. https://doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000000483

Healthline. (n.d.). Wolff's Law: What It Is and How It Works. Healthline. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://www.healthline.com/health/wolffs-law.