Tongue Ties: Ways Chiropractic Care may Help your Baby

In recent years, the topic of infant tongue-tie surgery—also known as tethered oral tissue—has sparked significant debate. While it’s easy to assume that tethered oral tissue is the root cause of feeding difficulties, other anatomical structures may also contribute to the problem. In my clinical experience, I’ve observed how adaptations in the tongue, head, or neck can impact feeding, regardless of the presence of a tongue-tie.

You might wonder, how can a chiropractor assist in this situation? While chiropractors do not diagnose tongue-ties, they play a crucial role in addressing feeding dysfunction in infants. Their support can be invaluable before and after tongue-tie surgery. If you suspect your child has a tongue-tie, consider these key benefits of chiropractic care.

1. Reducing Nerve Interference to Tongue Muscles

If your infant's tongue appears tight, it may not solely be due to the frenulum. Nerve function influencing the tongue could be either overstimulated or understimulated, causing tightness or weakness in the muscle. Additionally, trigger points in the genioglossus muscle may pull the frenulum toward the floor of the mouth, affecting breastfeeding and milk transfer. A tight tongue can lead to discomfort during breastfeeding and issues such as spitting up due to incomplete swallowing.

As a chiropractor with. special interest in children, I help by gently adjusting the neck (Please Note: I do not perform spinal manipulation on infants and children.), intraoral cranial bones, and soft tissue. The aim is to normalise nerve function and enhance breastfeeding before exploring other options.

2. Aligning Bone and Joint Structures Connected to the Tongue

The tongue and swallowing muscles are anchored to the bones of the head and neck. Misalignment in these structures can restrict tongue movement, leading to feeding difficulties. For instance, if you tuck your chin to your chest and rotate your head, you'll find that swallowing and breathing become challenging. This “biomechanical tongue-tie” can occur if your baby tucks their chin, resulting in cervical spine misalignments. As a chiropractor, with a special interest in children, I help realign these structures to improve overall function.

3. Enhancing Recovery from Tongue-Tie Surgery

If tongue-tie surgery becomes necessary, "pre-habilitation" is a best practice that can significantly improve outcomes. This involves aligning head and neck structures to ensure optimal oral tie release conditions. In my experience, releases performed on misaligned anatomy can lead to improper healing and recurring issues. By addressing structural alignment prior, we aim to enhance the effectiveness of the procedure and facilitate healing afterward.

Chiropractic care not only supports motor skill development in the tongue and spine but also promotes optimal healing from birth-related stresses. If you suspect a tongue-tie, consulting a chiropractor, trained in the field, should be a fundamental part of your approach to successful breastfeeding.