What if some of the things you’re doing to sleep better are actually keeping you awake?

In this episode of the Beauty of Breathing Podcast, I spoke with Dr. Shelby Harris, one of the nation’s leading experts in behavioral sleep medicine, about why insomnia develops, what keeps it going, and how it can often be treated without relying solely on medication.

We also dive into:

✨ How insomnia differs from an occasional night of poor sleep
✨ Why forcing yourself to sleep can increase tension, frustration, and wakefulness
✨ How compensating with earlier bedtimes, sleeping in, naps, and caffeine can perpetuate insomnia
✨ Why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, or CBT-I, is considered a first-line treatment
✨ How anxiety and disrupted sleep reinforce one another
✨ Why insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea can occur together
✨ How sleep apnea symptoms may look different in women
✨ The effects of perimenopause and menopause on sleep
✨ Why sleep trackers can sometimes create more anxiety than insight
✨ One simple habit that can strengthen sleep: maintaining a consistent wake time

Dr. Harris explains that insomnia is not limited to difficulty falling asleep. It can also include waking repeatedly, struggling to return to sleep, or waking earlier than intended. Although an initial stressor, illness, or hormonal change may trigger it, the habits we develop in response can keep the cycle going long after the original cause has passed.

We also discuss an important distinction for airway-focused providers: not every person who struggles to sleep has insomnia, and not everyone with insomnia has an airway disorder. Some patients experience both insomnia and sleep apnea, which may require each condition to be evaluated and treated rather than assuming one explains every symptom.

This conversation is also especially valuable for women. Dr. Harris shares how hormonal changes may affect sleep during perimenopause and menopause, while symptoms of sleep apnea in women may appear as fatigue, low energy, anxiety, depression, headaches, fragmented sleep, or feeling unrefreshed rather than obvious daytime sleepiness.

Dr. Shelby Harris is a board-certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist, licensed clinical psychologist, and clinical associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She specializes in evidence-based, non-medication treatments for insomnia, sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorders, and other sleep challenges. She is also an author, national speaker, and recognized media expert on sleep health.

If you struggle with insomnia, wake frequently during the night, or work with patients experiencing sleep and airway concerns, this episode will help you understand why effective treatment must be individualized.

🎧 Press play to learn how letting go of the pressure to sleep may be the first step toward sleeping better.

#BeautyOfBreathing #Insomnia #BehavioralSleepMedicine #CBTI #SleepHealth #SleepApnea #AirwayHealth #WomensSleepHealth #Perimenopause #Menopause #SleepAnxiety #RestorativeSleep #AirwayCircle

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Airway Circle we offer a safe and supportive space for like-minded professionals to connect, collaborate and share information regarding airway-related issues and whole-body health.

Become a Member Today and have immediate access to hundreds of lectures with world-renowned professionals. ...

What if your breathing issues aren’t just about your airway?

In this episode of the Beauty of Breathing Podcast, I sat down with the incredible Mike Cantrell, MPT, to explore how breathing is connected to the entire body. We discuss why airway dysfunction can sometimes begin far from the throat, including the feet, rib cage, jaw, tongue, and overall posture.

We also dive into:
✨ Why palatal expansion doesn’t always resolve every symptom
✨ How body mechanics can influence orthodontic and airway treatment outcomes
✨ Why objective testing matters before, during, and after treatment
✨ What hope looks like for patients who have already had expansion or jaw surgery but still struggle with breathing

This conversation is a powerful reminder that treating the airway often requires looking beyond the airway itself.

Mike brings more than 35 years of experience as a physical therapist and co-founder of the Applied Integration Academy, where he has helped bridge the gap between physical therapy, dentistry, myofunctional therapy, and human performance.

If you’re a dentist, myofunctional therapist, physical therapist, speech-language pathologist, orthodontist, or simply passionate about airway health, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Watch the replay and let me know your biggest takeaway in the comments!

#BeautyOfBreathing #AirwayHealth #MyofunctionalTherapy #AirwayDentistry #PhysicalTherapy #Breathing #FunctionalMedicine #Orthodontics #TongueTie #SleepDisorderedBreathing #AirwayCircle #AppliedIntegrationAcademy

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Airway Circle we offer a safe and supportive space for like-minded professionals to connect, collaborate and share information regarding airway-related issues and whole-body health.

Become a Member Today and have immediate access to hundreds of lectures with world-renowned professionals. ...

What if anxiety is not only something you think about, but also something your body expresses through the way you breathe?

In this episode of the Beauty of Breathing Podcast, Renata Nehme speaks with integrative physiotherapist Campbell Will about the relationship among breathing, posture, the nervous system, and anxiety.

Together, they explore:

✨ How rapid, shallow, or irregular breathing can influence an anxious state
✨ Why holding your breath may intensify discomfort in stressful situations
✨ The connection among posture, breathing mechanics, and nervous system activity
✨ How screens, prolonged sitting, and chronic stress can reshape breathing patterns
✨ Why awareness should come before trying to control the breath
✨ How parents can model nervous system regulation for anxious children
✨ Why modern lifestyles may contribute to anxiety, poor focus, and difficulty recovering
✨ The value of protecting the first and last hour of the day from digital stimulation
✨ Why a few breathing exercises cannot compensate for an unsustainable lifestyle
✨ How an intentional sigh can become a simple regulation tool

Campbell encourages listeners to shift from asking, “Why am I anxious?” to noticing, “What am I feeling?” Recognizing a racing heart, clenched jaw, tense shoulders, or restricted breathing can create an opportunity to respond with curiosity and gradually guide the body toward a steadier state.

He also explains that effective breathwork is not one-size-fits-all. The technique, timing, purpose, and individual breathing pattern all matter. Lasting change may require addressing daily habits, stress, posture, sleep, movement, environment, and social connection alongside breathing exercises.

Campbell Will is an integrative physiotherapist specializing in the role of breathing in human health and performance. His experience spans intensive care units, neurosurgical wards, elite athletics, and private practice.

Through a holistic, multidisciplinary approach, Campbell helps practitioners and patients understand breathing as a powerful tool for supporting physical health, emotional regulation, energy, and performance.

🎧 Take a breath with us and discover how greater awareness of your physiology can help you respond to anxiety with more curiosity, confidence, and control.

#BeautyOfBreathing #CampbellWill #PhysiologyOfAnxiety #Breathwork #Breathing #AnxietySupport #NervousSystemRegulation #FunctionalBreathing #MentalHealth #StressManagement #MindBodyHealth #IntegrativePhysiotherapy

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Airway Circle we offer a safe and supportive space for like-minded professionals to connect, collaborate and share information regarding airway-related issues and whole-body health.

Become a Member Today and have immediate access to hundreds of lectures with world-renowned professionals. ...

What if persistent fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, or changes in mood are connected to an infection or inflammatory process that has been overlooked?

In this episode of the Beauty of Breathing Podcast, Renata Nehme speaks with Dr. Jaquel Patterson about the complex relationship among infections, inflammation, immune health, and chronic illness.

Together, they explore:

✨ How persistent infections may contribute to chronic inflammation
✨ Why Lyme disease is often called “the great imitator”
✨ Common symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, migrating joint pain, headaches, dizziness, and anxiety
✨ Why the absence of a bull’s-eye rash does not necessarily rule out Lyme disease
✨ The limitations and timing considerations of conventional testing
✨ How tick-borne coinfections may complicate diagnosis and recovery
✨ The relationship among inflammation, hormones, mental health, and cognitive function
✨ Why iron, ferritin, vitamin D, and other markers deserve careful evaluation
✨ How mold, environmental toxins, and chronic stress may add to the body’s overall burden
✨ Why treatment must address more than the infection alone
✨ The importance of sleep, movement, breathwork, and nervous system regulation

Dr. Patterson explains why complex chronic illness requires looking at the whole person rather than treating each symptom in isolation. Testing, clinical history, immune function, gut health, inflammation, environmental exposures, nutrition, and mental health may all provide pieces of the same puzzle.

She also reminds listeners that healing does not always begin with the most advanced intervention. Restorative sleep, gentle movement, time outdoors, meditation, breathing practices, and meaningful self-care can help create a stronger foundation for individualized medical treatment.

Dr. Jaquel Patterson, ND, MBA, is a nationally recognized leader in naturopathic and functional medicine. She is the founder of Fairfield Family Health, a multidisciplinary practice in Connecticut, and has over 16 years of clinical experience specializing in Lyme disease, autoimmune and complex chronic illness, integrative psychiatry, and environmental medicine.

She serves as President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, is certified through the Institute for Functional Medicine, and is a three-time Amazon bestselling author.

🎧 Explore how connecting infections, inflammation, environment, and everyday health habits may reveal a clearer path toward healing.

#BeautyOfBreathing #DrJaquelPatterson #LymeDisease #ChronicInflammation #FunctionalMedicine #NaturopathicMedicine #ChronicIllness #ImmuneHealth #EnvironmentalMedicine #IntegrativeHealth #MentalHealth #WholeBodyHealth

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Airway Circle we offer a safe and supportive space for like-minded professionals to connect, collaborate and share information regarding airway-related issues and whole-body health.

Become a Member Today and have immediate access to hundreds of lectures with world-renowned professionals. ...

What if a child’s dental visit could reveal important clues about their breathing, sleep, behavior, and development?

In this episode of the Beauty of Breathing Podcast, Renata Nehme speaks with Dr. Rafif Tayara about modern pediatric dentistry and why caring for children must extend beyond treating teeth.

Together, they explore:

✨ How mouth breathing and sleep-disordered breathing may contribute to recurring dental problems
✨ Why breathing patterns can influence the development of the face, jaws, and teeth
✨ Red flags such as snoring, restless sleep, bedwetting, open-mouth chewing, and dark circles
✨ Why sleep deprivation may affect a child’s attention, behavior, and emotional regulation
✨ How prolonged pacifier use and thumb-sucking can influence oral function and facial growth
✨ The importance of chewing and transitioning away from consistently soft foods
✨ Why perfectly straight baby teeth may indicate insufficient space for adult teeth
✨ How screens, allergens, and the bedroom environment may affect sleep
✨ The value of open cups and developmentally appropriate drinking patterns
✨ Why pediatric airway care requires collaboration among multiple healthcare professionals

Dr. Tayara reminds parents that children do not simply grow into their genes. Their daily habits, breathing patterns, oral function, nutrition, and environment can all help shape development.

She also explains why removing an obstruction may not be the end of treatment. Supporting jaw growth, nasal breathing, tongue function, and healthy oral habits may be essential for creating more stable, long-term outcomes.

Dr. Rafif Tayara is a leading pediatric dentist and Sleep Dental Medicine specialist trained at Tufts University. She is a top 1% Invisalign First Provider in Dubai and the Netherlands, founder of JuniorDental and the Pediatric Academy, and was voted Best Pediatric Dentist 2025.

With experience across North America and the Middle East, she focuses on modern pediatric dentistry, early airway orthodontics, and myofunctional therapy. She is also the author of the children’s book “Danny and Sarah Go to Dr. Smile” and a proud mother of three.

🎧 Tune in to learn which everyday signs may be telling you more about your child’s breathing, sleep, and development than you realize.

#BeautyOfBreathing #DrRafifTayara #PediatricDentistry #PediatricAirway #AirwayHealth #SleepDisorderedBreathing #MouthBreathing #EarlyIntervention #MyofunctionalTherapy #FacialGrowth #ChildDevelopment #AirwayOrthodontics

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Airway Circle we offer a safe and supportive space for like-minded professionals to connect, collaborate and share information regarding airway-related issues and whole-body health.

Become a Member Today and have immediate access to hundreds of lectures with world-renowned professionals. ...

What is it really like to undergo adult palatal expansion, especially when you are also an airway-focused clinician?

In this episode of the Beauty of Breathing Podcast, Renata Nehme speaks with Margaret Stoch about her personal experience with miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion, commonly known as MARPE.

Margaret shares what led her to explore her own airway health after years of prioritizing her children, patients, family, and business. She offers an honest look at the procedure, the adjustment period, and the changes she experienced in her breathing, sleep, energy, and daily life.

Their conversation explores:

✨ Why Margaret ultimately chose adult palatal expansion
✨ What MARPE placement and activation felt like
✨ Practical tips for eating, cleaning, and protecting the tongue
✨ How expansion changed the available space for her tongue
✨ The breathing, sleep, and energy improvements she experienced
✨ Why tongue-tie release must be carefully timed and individualized
✨ How to recognize when the tongue may not have enough palatal space
✨ The importance of myofunctional therapy before, during, and after expansion
✨ Why adult airway treatment requires multidisciplinary collaboration
✨ Questions patients should ask when choosing an expansion provider

Margaret also explains why creating more space is only one part of treatment. The tongue must be able to function within that space, nasal breathing must be supported, and the surrounding muscles and structures may also require care.

Margaret Stoch, MHS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and founder of Advanced Therapy & Wellness Center in Illinois. She specializes in feeding and swallowing, orofacial myofunctional disorders, and airway-centered care connecting oral function with breathing, sleep, and overall health.

As a myofunctional therapist and certified nutrition coach, Margaret uses a whole-body, root-cause approach and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to support lasting functional outcomes.

🎧 Hear Margaret’s firsthand perspective on adult expansion and the lessons her journey taught her about preparation, teamwork, self-advocacy, and resilience.

#BeautyOfBreathing #MargaretStoch #MARPE #AdultPalatalExpansion #AirwayHealth #MyofunctionalTherapy #NasalBreathing #SleepHealth #TongueTie #OrofacialMyology #InterdisciplinaryCare #AirwayOrthodontics

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Airway Circle we offer a safe and supportive space for like-minded professionals to connect, collaborate and share information regarding airway-related issues and whole-body health.

Become a Member Today and have immediate access to hundreds of lectures with world-renowned professionals. ...

Can an experience from years ago still be affecting your sleep, energy, confidence, and relationships today?

In this episode of the Beauty of Breathing Podcast, Renata Nehme speaks with Dr. Debi Silber about the often-overlooked physical, mental, and emotional effects of unresolved betrayal.

Their conversation explores:

✨ Why betrayal can require a different approach to healing than other forms of trauma
✨ What Dr. Debi’s research identifies as Post Betrayal Syndrome
✨ How unresolved betrayal may affect sleep, energy, digestion, concentration, and trust
✨ Why time alone does not necessarily heal betrayal
✨ The five predictable stages from betrayal to breakthrough
✨ How numbing, avoidance, and distraction can keep someone stuck
✨ The difference between personal healing and rebuilding a relationship
✨ Why trust must be restored one step at a time
✨ How healing can influence health, work, parenting, and future relationships

Dr. Debi explains how betrayal can disrupt a person’s sense of safety, self-trust, confidence, and belonging. She also shares why people may remain in survival mode long after the original experience, sometimes without recognizing the connection between their past and their present struggles.

Most importantly, this conversation offers hope. Dr. Debi describes healing as a process of rebuilding the whole person physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, allowing someone to move beyond survival and create a healthier new chapter.

Dr. Debi Silber is the Founder and CEO of the Post Betrayal Transformation Institute and National Forgiveness Day. She is an award-winning speaker, two-time #1 international bestselling author, and host of the top-ranked podcast From Betrayal to Breakthrough.

Her groundbreaking PhD research produced three discoveries that reshaped the understanding of betrayal and recovery. Through her betrayal recovery certification, she equips coaches and practitioners with an evidence-based framework for supporting lasting transformation.

🎧 Listen to discover how recognizing unresolved betrayal may be the first step toward restoring your health, confidence, and capacity to trust.

#BeautyOfBreathing #DrDebiSilber #PostBetrayalTransformation #BetrayalRecovery #EmotionalHealing #MentalHealth #WholeBodyHealth #SleepHealth #SelfTrust #Forgiveness #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Airway Circle we offer a safe and supportive space for like-minded professionals to connect, collaborate and share information regarding airway-related issues and whole-body health.

Become a Member Today and have immediate access to hundreds of lectures with world-renowned professionals. ...

Can a child have a narrow maxilla even without an obvious posterior crossbite?

In this episode of the Beauty of Breathing Podcast, Renata Nehme speaks with Dr. Tyler Rathburn about recognizing maxillary transverse deficiency and why timely expansion may support healthier dental, skeletal, and airway development.

They discuss:

✨ Why maxillary transverse deficiency may be considered a syndrome
✨ How dental compensation can conceal an underlying skeletal discrepancy
✨ Why intermolar width alone may not provide a complete diagnosis
✨ The importance of evaluating the position of the teeth within the bone
✨ How CBCT analysis can help identify transverse deficiencies
✨ The relationship between the palate and the nasal airway
✨ Why narrow arches may contribute to crowding and periodontal concerns
✨ Environmental and functional influences on jaw development
✨ Tongue posture, mouth breathing, chewing, and oral habits
✨ The role of early expansion and myofunctional therapy

Dr. Tyler explains that a patient does not need to present with a visible crossbite to have an undersized maxilla. The upper teeth may tip outward while the lower teeth tip inward to compensate, creating an apparently acceptable bite while concealing the skeletal imbalance underneath.

The conversation also examines why moving teeth without assessing the supporting bone may increase the risk of recession or instability. When the skeletal foundation is identified and addressed appropriately, orthodontic treatment may become more predictable and supportive of long-term function.

Dr. Tyler Rathburn completed his DMD and orthodontics certificate at the Medical College of Georgia in 2015. He practices at Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists as part of a multidisciplinary orthodontic team.

He began lecturing in 2017 and has served as resident faculty with CDOCS and Spear Education. His interests include airway-focused orthodontics, CBCT analysis, interdisciplinary treatment planning, and technology-driven practice efficiency. Dr. Tyler is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and currently serves as President of the Georgia Association of Orthodontists.

🎧 Look beneath the bite and learn why identifying maxillary transverse deficiency early may change the entire treatment trajectory.

#BeautyOfBreathing #DrTylerRathburn #MaxillaryTransverseDeficiency #EarlyExpansion #PalatalExpansion #AirwayOrthodontics #PediatricAirway #CBCT #FacialGrowth #NasalBreathing #MyofunctionalTherapy #InterdisciplinaryCare

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Airway Circle we offer a safe and supportive space for like-minded professionals to connect, collaborate and share information regarding airway-related issues and whole-body health.

Become a Member Today and have immediate access to hundreds of lectures with world-renowned professionals. ...

Could the products used throughout your home be quietly adding to your family’s overall environmental burden?

In this episode of the Beauty of Breathing Podcast, Renata Nehme speaks with Branch Basics co-founder Allison Evans about clean living and practical ways to reduce everyday exposure to potentially irritating chemicals.

They discuss:

✨ Allison’s personal journey from chronic health challenges to clean living
✨ Why common symptoms should not automatically be considered normal
✨ Synthetic fragrances in laundry products, candles, and personal care items
✨ Pesticides and disinfectants used throughout the home
✨ Mold exposure and its possible effects on different family members
✨ Plastic food storage and hormone-disrupting chemicals
✨ Creating a cleaner home without becoming overwhelmed
✨ Why removing exposures may be as important as adding treatments
✨ How to approach schools about the products used around children
✨ The connection between environmental quality and airway health

Allison encourages families to begin with manageable changes. Her suggested starting points include reducing synthetic fragrances, reconsidering routine pesticide use, choosing simpler cleaning products, and replacing plastic food storage when possible.

She also emphasizes that clean living should not be driven by fear or perfection. Small, sustainable changes can help families create a healthier home while still allowing room for flexibility and grace.

Allison Evans is the co-founder of Branch Basics and is passionate about helping others discover the benefits of clean living. She shares how removing toxins from her home and diet supported her journey through chronic pain, severe PCOS, mold exposure, and Lyme disease. Today, she is a proud mother of four, something she was once told might not be possible.

Through Branch Basics, Allison inspires others to experience the “power of pure” and encourages families to trust in the body’s God-given ability to heal when unnecessary obstacles are removed.

🎧 Clear out the confusion and discover practical first steps toward creating a cleaner, healthier home for your family.

#BeautyOfBreathing #AllisonEvans #BranchBasics #TossTheToxins #CleanLiving #HealthyHome #FragranceFree #EnvironmentalHealth #MoldAwareness #AirwayHealth #LowToxLiving #HealthyFamily #PowerOfPure

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Airway Circle we offer a safe and supportive space for like-minded professionals to connect, collaborate and share information regarding airway-related issues and whole-body health.

Become a Member Today and have immediate access to hundreds of lectures with world-renowned professionals. ...

Could touch, movement, and patient participation add another valuable layer to airway treatment?

In this episode of the Beauty of Breathing Podcast, Renata Nehme speaks with physical therapist Walt Fritz about manual therapy and how it may complement care for airway, voice, swallowing, and oral motor disorders.

They discuss:

✨ Manual therapy compared with myofunctional therapy
✨ Why treatment should focus on the person, not only the tissue
✨ The complex effects of touch and movement on the nervous system
✨ How manual therapy and exercise may work together
✨ Shared decision-making and the patient’s lived experience
✨ Potential applications for snoring, apnea, voice, and swallowing concerns
✨ When a patient may benefit from another clinician’s perspective
✨ Manual therapy surrounding tongue-tie treatment
✨ Why no single therapy should be considered the complete solution
✨ The need for stronger research into airway-related applications

Walt challenges traditional explanations that reduce treatment to simply loosening tight tissue or strengthening weak muscles. Instead, he encourages clinicians to consider the broader neurological, sensory, behavioral, and contextual factors that may influence a patient’s response.

He also explains that manual therapy may support some patients with oral restrictions, but it does not physically release a restrictive frenum. His evidence-conscious approach encourages clinicians to acknowledge uncertainty, question outdated narratives, and collaborate when progress does not occur as expected.

Walt Fritz is a physical therapist and international educator specializing in manual therapy for voice, swallowing, oral motor, and airway disorders. Teaching since the mid-1990s, he launched Foundations in Manual Therapy: Voice and Swallowing Disorders in 2013. The course, now taught worldwide, reframes manual therapy as an active, patient-centered, and movement-based process.

His approach emphasizes shared decision-making and multifactorial perspectives, encouraging clinicians to move beyond traditional models of care. Walt also serves as a Research Supervisor with the Voice Study Centre in the United Kingdom and maintains a clinical practice in Upstate New York.

🎧 Explore a thoughtful, evidence-aware perspective on how manual therapy may fit within collaborative airway care.

#BeautyOfBreathing #WaltFritz #ManualTherapy #AirwayHealth #MyofunctionalTherapy #VoiceTherapy #SwallowingDisorders #OralMotorTherapy #SharedDecisionMaking #PatientCenteredCare #TongueTie #PhysicalTherapy #InterdisciplinaryCare

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Airway Circle we offer a safe and supportive space for like-minded professionals to connect, collaborate and share information regarding airway-related issues and whole-body health.

Become a Member Today and have immediate access to hundreds of lectures with world-renowned professionals. ...