Jenessa Van Schip
Certified Orofacial Myologist TM
My Approach
Jenessa has a comprehensive and individualized approach to therapy. She starts with a thorough assessment to identify any issues or dysfunction by evaluating facial and oral muscles, breathing patterns, speech, and swallowing. Based on the assessment, a customized treatment plan is developed to address your specific issues and goals. Education is a crucial component of treatment in order to help understand the underlying causes of your concerns and how to address them. Treatment typically involves exercises designed to improve muscle strength, coordination, and function. These may include tongue and lip exercises, breathing exercises, and swallowing exercises. Patients may need to make behavioural changes to help address their concerns, such as changing their posture, reducing mouth breathing, and avoiding thumb-sucking or other habits that can exacerbate the issue. Regular follow-up appointments and monitoring are important to track progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed. Patients may need to continue exercises and behavioural modifications on an ongoing basis to maintain their progress.
What to expect
- Initial Assessment: At the first appointment, we will conduct a thorough assessment of your oral and facial muscles, as well as swallowing and breathing patterns. We will ask about your medical/dental history, any current concerns or symptoms, and your goals for therapy. We will observe how you swallow, breathe, and speak to identify any dysfunctional patterns or habits. We use tools such as tongue depressors, mirrors, and other specialised equipment to complete this assessment.
- Follow up sessions: Based on the assessment findings and your goals, Jenessa will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan may include exercises, techniques, and lifestyle changes to improve your oral function and alleviate any symptoms. As we continue to work together, progress is monitored and the treatment plan may be adjusted as needed, additional guidance and support is provided. These appointments may involve further exercises, discussions about challenges you are having, and reinforcement of proper habits.
- Collaboration: In some cases, myofunctional therapy may be part of a multidisciplinary approach to address issues such as sleep apnea, speech disorders, or orthodontic problems. Jenessa will collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as dentists, orthodontists, and speech and language therapists to ensure comprehensive care.
Bio
Jenessa is an experienced Certified Orofacial Myologist TM and registered dental hygienist with over a decade of experience in the dental field. Having graduated from Cambrian College’s dental hygiene program in 2011, she currently dedicates part of her time to a dental office in Guelph.
After becoming a mother, she personally encountered the impact of tethered oral tissues on both breastfeeding and early life, as well as the various symptoms affecting adults. This discovery fueled her passion for addressing the root cause of issues like teeth clenching, jaw pain, headaches, orthodontic relapse, and sleep problems in her dental hygiene practice, leading her to specialize in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy through the IAOM.
Jenessa actively collaborates with other healthcare professionals who share her commitment to improving overall health and firmly believes that myofunctional therapy plays a pivotal role in promoting well-being and positively influencing lives. As a lifelong learner, she constantly seeks to expand her knowledge through courses, reading, and staying up-to-date with the latest research. Outside of her professional life, Jenessa finds joy in being a mother to three young children and indulges in hobbies like volleyball, music, and quality family time.
