Beyond the Snip: Why Tongue Tie Treatment Requires a Comprehensive Approach

Are you a parent struggling with your child’s tongue tie issues? At ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton, Wisconsin, we understand that addressing tongue ties requires more than just a simple procedure – it demands a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to ensure proper function and development.

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Understanding Oral Ties and Their Impact

Let’s first discuss what oral ties are! Oral ties include both tongue ties (ankyloglossia) and lip ties, which occur when thin membranes restrict normal movement. In tongue ties, the lingual frenulum under the tongue can be tight in different ways – anterior tongue ties are visible and closer to the tip of the tongue, while posterior tongue ties are less visible and located deeper toward the base of the tongue. Lip ties involve the labial frenulum connecting the upper lip to the gum.

These restrictions can significantly affect breastfeeding, bottle feeding, speech development, facial growth, and even breathing patterns. While feeding difficulties are often the first sign parents notice, untreated oral ties can have implications that extend far beyond infancy into childhood and even adulthood.

But wait! Just because you have a tie present doesn’t always mean that a release is necessary. It’s important to have a thorough history, consult, and assessment to make sure this is what is needed.

When Oral Ties Become Problematic

The presence of a tie itself isn’t automatically problematic – it’s the functional limitations, you know how everything actually works, that matters. Here’s what we look for when assessing the impact of oral ties:

1. Feeding Challenges: For infants, ties can cause shallow latching, milk transfer issues, prolonged feeding sessions, excessive gas, and discomfort for both baby and mother. Symptoms may include clicking sounds during feeding, milk leakage, and nipple pain or damage for breastfeeding mothers.
2. Compensatory Patterns: When the tongue or lip can’t move properly, babies develop alternative movement patterns that can create tension throughout the body. We often see arching, neck tightness, excessive extension, and cranial asymmetries as the body works overtime to compensate.
3. Long-term Development Issues: If left unaddressed, restricted oral ties can contribute to:
   • Sleep-disordered breathing and mouth breathing
   • Altered facial growth and dental development
   • Speech articulation difficulties
   • Neck and shoulder tension
   • TMJ dysfunction
   • Digestive issues from improper breakdown of food
   • Reduced oral hygiene due to inability to clear food from teeth

Assessing Function vs. Appearance

At ADIO Chiropractic, we focus on function over appearance. Some babies with seemingly significant ties have minimal symptoms, while others with subtle restrictions experience major challenges. That’s why we:

1. Take a detailed history: Understanding your family’s unique challenges and goals helps us determine whether the tie is truly causing problems.
2. Assess whole-body patterns: We look at how your baby’s entire nervous system and musculoskeletal system are functioning, not just the oral structures.
3. Observe feeding: Watching a feeding session provides valuable information about functional impacts that might not be apparent during a standard exam.
4. Collaborate with specialists: Our assessments work best when coordinated with lactation consultants, speech therapists, and providers who specialize in tie releases.

Remember, our goal isn’t simply to identify ties but to determine and help if they’re functionally significant for your child. This careful, thorough approach ensures we recommend release procedures alongside other providers when it would be truly beneficial, while also addressing the whole-body components that are essential for complete resolution.

For babies and children in the Madison area, these oral restrictions can lead to compensatory patterns throughout the body as they try to work around these limitations. The body adapts in various ways – often creating tension in the neck, jaw, shoulders, and cranium. This is where our holistic approach at ADIO Chiropractic becomes essential, addressing not just the visible restriction but the whole-body patterns that develop as a result.

Why Release Is Just the Beginning

Imagine if you had a tight, shortened bicep muscle that limited your arm movement. Would simply cutting that tight muscle solve the problem? Of course not! You would need rehabilitation exercises, proper stretching, and care for the surrounding muscles and joints to restore full function.

The same principle applies to tongue ties. The release procedure (whether performed by a dentist or physician) is just the first step. Without proper bodywork and rehabilitation, many children don’t achieve optimal results from their release.

The Role of Chiropractic Care in Tongue Tie Management

Think of your child’s body like a connected system. When one part isn’t working well, other parts have to compensate. With tongue ties, these compensations can create tension and dysfunction throughout the body. That’s why chiropractic care is so valuable before, during, and after a tongue tie release.

Before the Release (If Needed)

Before considering a release procedure, chiropractic care helps:

• Reduce tension in the neck, jaw, and cranium that might be contributing to feeding difficulties
• Improve overall nervous system function to maximize your child’s natural abilities
• Sometimes eliminate the need for a release altogether by addressing underlying tension patterns
• Prepare the body to respond better to the release if it’s still needed

Think of this like preparing soil before planting – it creates the best environment for success.

During the Release Process

While the actual procedure is performed by a dentist or physician, chiropractic care during this period:

• Maintains the improvements gained from pre-release care
• Helps manage stress responses that can affect healing
• Provides parents with supportive exercises and techniques to use at home

After the Release

This is where chiropractic really shines! After a release:

• We gently release remaining tension patterns that could limit the benefits of the procedure
• Help your child’s nervous system learn new, more efficient movement patterns
• Support proper healing by ensuring good alignment and function of the cranial bones and neck
• Address any compensatory patterns that developed before the release

It’s like physical therapy after knee surgery – the procedure removes the restriction, but rehabilitation is needed for optimal function.

At ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton, Dr. Alexandria Quick and Dr. Eric Kurzinski and our team provide this comprehensive support for families throughout Madison and surrounding communities. Our gentle, specific approach is designed especially for babies and children, making the entire process more comfortable and effective.

The Multi-Disciplinary Approach: Why It Matters

For optimal outcomes with oral ties, we believe a comprehensive team approach is essential. Rather than viewing oral ties from just one perspective, combining multiple specialists creates a complete picture of your child’s situation from all angles. This collaborative approach ensures nothing is missed and that treatment addresses the full spectrum of contributing factors:

• Lactation Consultants: Evaluate feeding mechanics and efficiency from the breastfeeding perspective
• Dentists or Physicians: Assess the anatomical components and perform releases when necessary
• Speech Therapists: Provide insights on oral-motor function and development
• Chiropractors: Identify how the body’s structure and nervous system are involved
• Occupational Therapists: Address sensory components and developmental patterns
• Bodyworkers: Focus on fascial and soft tissue restrictions throughout the body
• Myofunctional Therapists: Specialize in retraining oral muscle function and habits

The power comes from these different viewpoints working together – each provider seeing a piece of the puzzle that others might miss. While not every child needs every specialist, having a team approach ensures a thorough evaluation where all aspects are considered.

In the Madison, Wisconsin area, we’re proud to collaborate with respected professionals across these disciplines. At ADIO Chiropractic, we actively coordinate with other providers to ensure your child receives truly comprehensive care that addresses the root causes of their challenges, not just the symptoms.

What If I’ve Already Had a Release Done? Understanding Next Steps for Optimal Results

If your child has already undergone a tongue or lip tie release but is still experiencing challenges, you’re not alone. Many families in the Madison area find that while the release procedure addressed the anatomical restriction, their child still needs support for complete resolution of symptoms.

Beyond the Release: Why Additional Care Matters

Think about it this way: if you had a tight hamstring muscle surgically released, you’d still need physical therapy to learn how to use that muscle properly again. The same principle applies with oral ties.

A release procedure addresses the physical restriction, but doesn’t automatically teach your child’s body how to:

• Use their tongue and mouth in new ways
• Release compensatory tension patterns developed over time
• Integrate new movement patterns into daily function
• Optimize the nervous system’s control of these structures

Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Post-Release Care

Even after a release procedure, your child’s journey to optimal function isn’t necessarily complete. Here are indicators that additional bodywork and support may be beneficial:

Physical Signs to Watch For

• Continued difficulty with feeding or inefficient feeding patterns
• Preference for turning the head consistently to one side during feeding
• Persistent arching or body tension during feeding sessions
• Visible tension in the jaw, facial muscles, or neck
• Difficulty with full mouth opening or tongue elevation
• Persistent clicking sounds during feeding
• Continued gas, reflux symptoms, or discomfort after feeding

Behavioral Signs

• Sleep disturbances or difficulty settling
• Irritability or fussiness that seems related to feeding
• Difficulty transitioning to solid foods (for older babies)
• Limited range of motion with the tongue or lip
• Avoidance of certain textures or movements

Supporting Your Child After a Release

Whether or not your child shows these signs, here are ways to support optimal healing and function after a release:

1. Follow Through with Stretching Exercises: Consistently perform any recommended stretches from your provider to prevent reattachment.
2. Seek Bodywork: Gentle chiropractic adjustments, craniosacral therapy, or other forms of bodywork can help release compensatory patterns that developed before the release.
3. Continue Working with Lactation: If breastfeeding, continue working with a lactation consultant to optimize latch and feeding patterns.
4. Encourage Play and Movement: Age-appropriate activities that encourage proper tongue, lip, and jaw movement can support development of new, healthier patterns.
5. Be Patient: Remember that your child has been compensating since before birth – it takes time to develop new neuromuscular patterns.
6. Monitor Progress: Keep track of improvements and challenges to share with your healthcare team.

At ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton, we often see children who have had releases but still aren’t functioning optimally. Our gentle, specific approach addresses the whole-body patterns that may be preventing your child from experiencing the full benefits of their release procedure.

Remember: The release itself is just one part of the journey. Supporting your child’s entire system through bodywork and therapeutic activities creates the foundation for long-term success and optimal development.

Next Steps for Middleton and Madison Families

If your child has had a tongue tie release or is about to undergo one, consider adding chiropractic care to their treatment plan. At ADIO Chiropractic, we offer gentle, specific adjustments tailored to infants and children.

Our Middleton office is conveniently located for families throughout Dane County, including Madison, Waunakee, Verona, and Sun Prairie.

Schedule a Consultation Today

Let’s work together to ensure your child receives comprehensive care for their tongue tie. Contact ADIO Chiropractic at (608) 824-0950 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Eric Kurzinski or Dr. Alexandria Quick, or visit our website to learn more about how we help families throughout Madison and Middleton address tongue tie issues holistically.

Remember: Tongue tie treatment requires a comprehensive approach for optimal results. At ADIO Chiropractic, we’re here to support your family through every step of the journey to better health and function.

ADIO Chiropractic specializes in pediatric, prenatal, and family chiropractic care in Middleton, Wisconsin, serving families throughout Madison, Waunakee, Verona, and surrounding communities. Our team is dedicated to helping children and families achieve optimal health naturally.