Inspire therapy: What It Is, How It Works, and What Treatments It Connects To

When you think of sleep apnea treatment, you probably picture a mask, tubes, and a noisy machine. But Inspire therapy, a surgically implanted device that stimulates nerves to keep your airway open during sleep. Also known as upper airway stimulation, it’s a game-changer for people who can’t tolerate CPAP but still need serious help with breathing at night. Unlike CPAP, which pushes air into your throat, Inspire therapy works from inside—using a small implant to gently activate the hypoglossal nerve, which controls your tongue and throat muscles. This keeps your airway from collapsing while you sleep, without any masks, hoses, or daily setup.

Inspire therapy isn’t for everyone. It’s meant for adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who’ve tried CPAP and couldn’t stick with it. It’s also not a fix for central sleep apnea or severe obesity. But for those who qualify, it’s one of the few treatments that actually lets you sleep naturally. The device is implanted during a same-day outpatient surgery, and patients usually start using it about a month later, once healing is complete. You control it with a small remote—turn it on before bed, off when you wake up. No more dry mouth, skin sores, or claustrophobia from masks.

What makes Inspire therapy interesting is how it connects to other treatments. For example, if you’re using CPAP, a machine that delivers continuous positive airway pressure to keep airways open during sleep. Also known as continuous positive airway pressure therapy, it’s the gold standard for sleep apnea and it’s not working for you, Inspire offers a real alternative. Or if you’ve tried oral appliances and they didn’t help, Inspire steps in where those devices fall short. It’s also part of a bigger picture in respiratory therapy, a range of treatments designed to improve breathing function in chronic conditions—including weight management, positional therapy, and even nasal surgery. Inspire doesn’t replace all of them, but it fits neatly into the toolkit for people who need more than pills or masks.

There’s real data behind it. Studies show Inspire reduces breathing events by about 70% on average and improves sleep quality more than most alternatives. People who use it report better energy, less daytime sleepiness, and even improved mood. And because it’s internal, there’s no risk of losing or forgetting your equipment. But it’s not cheap—it requires surgery, follow-ups, and insurance pre-approval. Still, for those tired of CPAP, it’s one of the most effective options available today.

Below, you’ll find real-world comparisons and insights on treatments that work alongside or instead of Inspire therapy—from oral devices to newer nerve stimulators, and even how diet and weight loss play into managing sleep apnea long-term. These aren’t just generic tips. They’re stories from people who’ve been there, and the science that backs up what actually works.