A method for treating a breathing disorder, the method includes providing a tissue retractor that has a shaft having a first end and a second end, an anchor member attached to one of the first end or the second end, and a retractor member attached to the other of the first end or the second end, and inserting the shaft through a soft tissue of a patient's soft palate, wherein the tissue retractor distributes a force on the soft palate thereby changing a size, a stiffness, and/or a shape of the patient's soft palate and preventing obstruction of the patient's airway.
