The Ties That Bind
Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia (AG), is a congenital condition in which an abnormally short frenulum restricts the tongue's ability to function properly. A lip tie is an unusually tight labial frenulum, which keeps the upper lip tethered to the gum line. A buccal tie is an abnormally tight frenum in the cheeks. Typically the maxillary frena are the ones most often cause issues, but occasionally a mandibular buccal frenum can be restrictive as well.
The mouth is a window into the body
The Mouth Is a Window into the BodyWhen tension exists in the mouth, it often reflects tension throughout the entire body. Anatomically, the fascial connections from the tongue extend all the way down to the toes.
This tension may be bilateral (on both sides) or unilateral (on one side), which can make some individuals notice a “problem side” where restriction or discomfort occurs more frequently.
Tension Patterns in InfantsIn infants, limited muscle development can make these imbalances more visible.
You may notice a baby who:
Growth Spurts and Fascial TensionFascial tension often becomes more noticeable following growth spurts—periods of rapid development that are normal and predictable during infancy:
Dynamic Oral TethersOral restrictions can be dynamic, meaning they may change as a child grows. A baby who appears unrestricted at birth may later experience challenges if their tissues do not remodel effectively during growth spurts.
Throughout childhood—and even into adulthood—some individuals may need ongoing support with fascial balance and oral function. Tissue remodeling relies on enzymes that are most active during growth, which typically slows or stops around ages 30–35.
Factors that can influence how well tissues remodel include:
Effects of Unresolved Tension
As children grow, unresolved fascial or oral tension may contribute to:
In toddlers, fascial tension may contribute to:
In older children and adolescents, symptoms may include:
In some individuals, lower-body effects can also appear, including:
This tension may be bilateral (on both sides) or unilateral (on one side), which can make some individuals notice a “problem side” where restriction or discomfort occurs more frequently.
Tension Patterns in InfantsIn infants, limited muscle development can make these imbalances more visible.
You may notice a baby who:
- Curls into a “C” shape to one side
- Hyperextends when lying on their tummy
- Lies in a “banana” position on their back with legs extended
- Presents with torticollis, an indication of underlying fascial tension
Growth Spurts and Fascial TensionFascial tension often becomes more noticeable following growth spurts—periods of rapid development that are normal and predictable during infancy:
- 7–10 days after birth
- 4–6 weeks
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
Dynamic Oral TethersOral restrictions can be dynamic, meaning they may change as a child grows. A baby who appears unrestricted at birth may later experience challenges if their tissues do not remodel effectively during growth spurts.
Throughout childhood—and even into adulthood—some individuals may need ongoing support with fascial balance and oral function. Tissue remodeling relies on enzymes that are most active during growth, which typically slows or stops around ages 30–35.
Factors that can influence how well tissues remodel include:
- Nutrition and hydration
- Lifestyle habits and posture
- Medications
- Inflammatory conditions
- Pathogen exposure
- Immune function
- Toxin and chemical exposure
- Stress levels
Effects of Unresolved Tension
As children grow, unresolved fascial or oral tension may contribute to:
- Spinal curvatures such as scoliosis, particularly during adolescent growth spurts
- Head and upper-body tension, which may appear as:
- Frequent or chronic ear infections (often due to eustachian tube dysfunction)
- Abnormal jaw development
- “Lazy eye” or squinting
- Excessive or reduced saliva production
- Dental crowding or cavities
- Chronic sinus congestion
- Snoring or reflux
In toddlers, fascial tension may contribute to:
- Diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation)
- Persistence of primitive reflexes
- Delays in potty training
- Suboptimal airway development, which may lead to sleep apnea, chronic fatigue, and focus difficulties
In older children and adolescents, symptoms may include:
- Headaches, shoulder, or mid-back pain
- Forward head posture and poor posture overall
- Sleep disturbances and fatigue
- Difficulty focusing in school
In some individuals, lower-body effects can also appear, including:
- Toe curling or overlapping
- Changes in foot arch development
- Tibial torsion or knee misalignment
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
Tension stores potential energy
Tension in the body represents stored potential energy—energy that could perform work but is trapped due to fascial restriction.
This restriction can limit the flow of vital substances such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, air, intestinal contents, and urinary flow—all of which are essential for optimal function, growth, and development.
A body under tension is a body not at ease.
By releasing fascial and oral restrictions, we help restore ease and balance. As this tension dissipates, the body requires less energy to function, circulation and movement improve, and natural processes flow more freely.
For babies, this often means better sleep, calmer behavior, improved feeding, and overall healthier development.
This restriction can limit the flow of vital substances such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, air, intestinal contents, and urinary flow—all of which are essential for optimal function, growth, and development.
A body under tension is a body not at ease.
By releasing fascial and oral restrictions, we help restore ease and balance. As this tension dissipates, the body requires less energy to function, circulation and movement improve, and natural processes flow more freely.
For babies, this often means better sleep, calmer behavior, improved feeding, and overall healthier development.
No such thing as a lazy baby
Breastfeeding complications tend to be the most common reason for one to seek treatment for tongue ties. These aren't the only complications that can occur due to tethered oral tissues. Some babies may be labeled "lazy nursers" or "lazy babies," but in fact these babies are exhausted.
Exhaustion in working so hard to feed, creates adaptations or inefficient connections that lead to many of the side effects we see in many histories.
Exhaustion in working so hard to feed, creates adaptations or inefficient connections that lead to many of the side effects we see in many histories.
Not by sight alone
Comprehensive Assessment of Oral TiesWhile an evaluation for a tongue, lip, or buccal tie begins with a visual assessment, a complete functional assessment should also be performed. This includes:
Because many cranial nerves coordinate the movement and function of the mouth and tongue, a thorough assessment also evaluates how these nerves are working together. Everything from facial movement and structure to swallowing mechanics provides valuable information.
Assessment should include observing the tongue’s position and motion during crying, laughing, resting, tracking, and thrusting. Palpation of oral and facial tissues is essential to understanding the depth and quality of restriction.
It is normal for infants to cry during an oral evaluation. They have limited context for objects entering their mouth other than a nipple or pacifier, so this reaction is often more about unfamiliarity than discomfort.
Hands-on work in the mouth is an important part of helping infants with oral restrictions. Gentle, guided exercises support tissue remodeling and improved function as they grow. Because babies develop rapidly, parents are taught how to perform simple, consistent oral exercises at home to reinforce these changes and encourage healthy development.
- Palpation of the mouth, oral tethers, and surrounding tissues and musculature
- Observation of feeding behavior and oral–facial motion
- Evaluation of latch, suck, and swallow patterns
Because many cranial nerves coordinate the movement and function of the mouth and tongue, a thorough assessment also evaluates how these nerves are working together. Everything from facial movement and structure to swallowing mechanics provides valuable information.
Assessment should include observing the tongue’s position and motion during crying, laughing, resting, tracking, and thrusting. Palpation of oral and facial tissues is essential to understanding the depth and quality of restriction.
It is normal for infants to cry during an oral evaluation. They have limited context for objects entering their mouth other than a nipple or pacifier, so this reaction is often more about unfamiliarity than discomfort.
Hands-on work in the mouth is an important part of helping infants with oral restrictions. Gentle, guided exercises support tissue remodeling and improved function as they grow. Because babies develop rapidly, parents are taught how to perform simple, consistent oral exercises at home to reinforce these changes and encourage healthy development.
🩵 A Team Approach to Tongue TiesWhy Teamwork MattersTongue ties (and other oral restrictions) affect more than just how the tongue moves—they influence breathing, feeding, posture, digestion, and overall development. Because these functions involve multiple body systems, no single provider can address every aspect of care. A collaborative team ensures the best possible outcomes for both infants and adults.
The Functional Approach: Building Coordination and StrengthA functional approach focuses on how the tongue and surrounding muscles move and work together. The goal is to retrain patterns of movement to support optimal function.
Key providers in the functional team include:
These providers work to optimize function, ensuring that once oral restrictions are released, the body can adapt and relearn healthy patterns of motion. This collaborative group helps the body learn to function optimally, both before and after a tongue tie release.
The Structural Approach: Releasing Restriction and Restoring BalanceThe structural approach focuses on the alignment, balance, and movement of bones, joints, and soft tissues that support oral function.
Key providers in the structural team include:
This team ensures the physical structures of the body are aligned and able to support healthy oral function and allows functional changes to take hold more easily
Laser Therapy: A Bridge Between Structure and FunctionLaser therapy plays a unique role—it supports both the structural release and functional recovery process.
Working Together for Whole-Body WellnessWhen each provider shares communication and insight, care becomes more seamless. The combination of functional retraining and structural release leads to better feeding, improved sleep, balanced posture, and long-term developmental support.
Tongue tie care works best when the whole team—and the family—works together.
The Functional Approach: Building Coordination and StrengthA functional approach focuses on how the tongue and surrounding muscles move and work together. The goal is to retrain patterns of movement to support optimal function.
Key providers in the functional team include:
- 🍼 IBCLC (International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant): Guides parents in achieving an effective, pain-free latch and efficient feeding.
- 👅 Oral Myofunctional Therapist: Helps retrain tongue and facial muscles to promote proper swallowing, breathing, and oral rest posture.
- 🤸♀️ Physical Therapist (PT): Addresses whole-body movement and postural imbalances that affect oral function.
- ✋ Occupational Therapist (OT): Supports sensory and motor integration, helping babies and children develop coordinated oral and body movement.
- 💆 Chiropractic Physician: Supports nervous system balance and releases tension patterns that affect how muscles and joints function.
These providers work to optimize function, ensuring that once oral restrictions are released, the body can adapt and relearn healthy patterns of motion. This collaborative group helps the body learn to function optimally, both before and after a tongue tie release.
The Structural Approach: Releasing Restriction and Restoring BalanceThe structural approach focuses on the alignment, balance, and movement of bones, joints, and soft tissues that support oral function.
Key providers in the structural team include:
- 🩻 Chiropractic Physician: Restores alignment and mobility throughout the spine, cranial bones, and jaw to reduce tension and improve nerve flow.
- 🧠 Craniosacral Therapist (CST): Gently releases restrictions in the cranial and fascial system to promote relaxation and balance.
- 😷 Dentist or Pediatric Dentist: Evaluates oral anatomy and, when needed, performs tongue or lip tie releases using precision tools such as a laser.
This team ensures the physical structures of the body are aligned and able to support healthy oral function and allows functional changes to take hold more easily
Laser Therapy: A Bridge Between Structure and FunctionLaser therapy plays a unique role—it supports both the structural release and functional recovery process.
- During a tongue or lip tie release, laser use allows for precision, reduced bleeding, minimal discomfort, and faster healing. This is performed by a Dentist, ENT, or oral surgeon.
- As a therapeutic tool, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation helps reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and enhance tissue remodeling—supporting both the muscle (functional) and fascia (structural) healing process.
Working Together for Whole-Body WellnessWhen each provider shares communication and insight, care becomes more seamless. The combination of functional retraining and structural release leads to better feeding, improved sleep, balanced posture, and long-term developmental support.
Tongue tie care works best when the whole team—and the family—works together.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Newborns and Infants
Chiropractic care can offer several benefits for newborns and infants, focusing on their unique developmental needs. Here are some ways it can help:
It's essential for parents to consult with a qualified pediatric chiropractor who specializes in treating infants to ensure safe and effective care tailored to their child's needs.
- Improved Spinal Alignment: Birth can be a physically stressful experience for infants. Chiropractic adjustments can help realign the spine, which may alleviate discomfort and promote proper growth.
- Enhanced Nervous System Function: The spine protects the nervous system, and proper alignment can improve communication between the brain and body. This may enhance overall bodily functions and support developmental milestones.
- Relief from Colic and Digestive Issues: Some studies suggest that chiropractic care may help reduce symptoms of colic, gas, and other digestive issues in infants by improving spinal function and releasing tension in the body.
- Better Sleep Patterns: Many parents report improved sleep in their infants after chiropractic adjustments. This could be due to reduced discomfort or tension, leading to more restful sleep.
- Support for Motor Development: Chiropractic care can aid in the development of motor skills by ensuring that the musculoskeletal system is functioning optimally. Proper alignment can facilitate movement and coordination.
- Easing Tension and Stress: Gentle chiropractic techniques can help relieve physical tension that may build up in infants, leading to a calmer demeanor and reduced fussiness.
- Support for Breastfeeding: Chiropractic adjustments can help with issues like difficulty latching or discomfort during breastfeeding by improving the infant's posture and alignment.
- Overall Wellness: Regular chiropractic check-ups can support an infant's overall health, aiding in the prevention of future issues and fostering a strong foundation for growth and development.
It's essential for parents to consult with a qualified pediatric chiropractor who specializes in treating infants to ensure safe and effective care tailored to their child's needs.