A method for treating obstructive sleep apnea, the method comprising: providing a tethering device comprising: an elastic filament having a distal end and a proximal end； and a flexible memory head mounted to the distal end of the elastic filament； advancing the tethering device through the tongue of a patient so that the flexible memory head of the tethering device is disposed against the back of the tongue and the elastic filament of the tethering device extends through the tongue； and securing the proximal end of the elastic filament to the mandible of the patient under tension, whereby to restrain rearward movement of the tongue while the patient is sleeping.
