52: Changing the Nervous System, Not Just the Tongue with Dana Lopez

In this episode of The MyoHacker Podcast, Dana Lopez from Inspiration Myo shares her journey from dental hygiene into myofunctional therapy and how her clinical approach expanded to include the nervous system, development, airway, and the whole person. We talk about what happens when a protocol isn’t enough and why providers need both solid training and the confidence to adapt care to the person in front of them. In this episode, we talk about: Why myofunctional therapy is about more than tongue exercises How the nervous system, development, and oral function connect When to move beyond a standard protocol and trust your clinical reasoning Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dana Lopez and her journey 02:56 The shift from dental hygiene to myofunctional therapy 04:11 Recognizing early signs and seeking specialist help 05:17 The importance of proper post-op care and training 07:42 Observing developmental signs and connecting the dots 08:09 Supporting children with myofunctional therapy and orthodontics 10:19 The broader health implications of oral and airway health 11:31 Encouragement for hygienists and providers to speak up 13:01 Changing the nervous system, not just the tongue 16:55 Why Dana chose to join the MyoHacker cohort 19:43 The value of a holistic, big-picture perspective Connect with Dayna:  https://www.inspiration-myo.com/ Instagram  |  @inspirationmyo    Connect with Karindy:    https://www.myohackerslp.com/ Instagram  |  @Myohackerslp  YouTube  |  @theMyohackerPodcast   Credits:  The Myohacker Podcast is hosted by Karindy Ong, MA, CCC-SLP and edited by Allison Massengale. Song “Better Sweater” performed by Desert Dive, licensed via Soundstripe. Content ID: DFKYWEZIUCTMMH0L Disclaimer:   This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your care.