Tongue Tie and Spinal Dysfunction: The Hidden Connection Between Oral Restrictions and Infant Digestive Issues

The Surprising Link Between Your Baby’s Feeding Struggles and Spinal Health: How Tongue Tie Creates a Chain Reaction Throughout the Body

When parents notice their infant struggling with feeding, experiencing persistent gas, or showing signs of reflux, they often search for answers in digestive remedies or feeding techniques. However, a growing body of research reveals that these common infant challenges may stem from an unexpected source: the intricate connection between oral restrictions like tongue tie and spinal dysfunction.

Understanding Tongue Tie and Its Far-Reaching Effects

Ankyloglossia, or tongue tie, is a congenital condition in which the tongue is literally “tied,” or tethered, to the floor of the mouth, inhibiting both speech and eating. Tongue tie is common, affecting nearly 5 percent of all newborns. While many parents associate this condition primarily with breastfeeding difficulties, the implications extend far beyond the mouth.

Proper tongue mobility plays a crucial role in chewing, swallowing, and digestive function. When tongue function is compromised, it can lead to poor digestion, acid reflux, bloating, and other gastrointestinal issues. The tongue’s restricted movement creates a cascade of compensatory patterns that affect the entire body’s alignment and function.

The Spinal Connection: How Oral Restrictions Affect the Whole Body

The relationship between tongue tie and spinal dysfunction isn’t immediately obvious, but understanding the body’s interconnected fascial system reveals the connection. The tongue is connected through the extrinsic muscles to bone both above and below the oral cavity. The restriction of the tongue results in associated strains in the body.

A tongue tie is like a snag in a piece of silk – although it may only be one small thread, it creates ripples of tightness through the whole garment. If we want to help a tongue tie baby breastfeed well, we need to address the underlying tension. This tension doesn’t remain localized to the mouth but travels through the fascial connections, affecting posture, spinal alignment, and ultimately digestive function.

Digestive Symptoms: The Hidden Signs of Tongue Tie

Parents often don’t realize that their baby’s digestive struggles may be related to oral restrictions. Tongue ties can impact digestion, leading to symptoms like gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort in infants. These digestive issues may be attributed to inefficient feeding due to restricted tongue movement.

Common digestive symptoms associated with tongue tie include:

  • Reflux and gas: Inefficient feeding can lead to swallowing more air, causing spit-up and fussiness for baby
  • Babies with tongue tie may swallow air while feeding, which can cause gas, reflux, and other digestive issues like discomfort and spitting up
  • Frequent spitting up (in infants). Increased gas and colic symptoms due to swallowed air during feedings. Frequent spitting up and fussiness, often mistaken for colic or reflux.

The Role of Chiropractic Care in Addressing Tongue Tie-Related Issues

Pediatric chiropractic care offers a unique perspective on treating tongue tie and its associated digestive symptoms by addressing the underlying spinal and fascial restrictions. Chiropractic and Craniosacral Therapy (CST) can be a highly effective and non-invasive means to correcting an infant’s tongue tie and improving many of their early life experiences.

Craniosacral therapy, or CST, is a light-touch therapy that helps release restrictions in the pelvis, spine, neck, and skull, which improves the function of the central nervous system. CST is an extremely gentle way to release tension in the midline, allowing improved motion for the tongue and the entire body.

For parents seeking comprehensive care for their infant’s feeding and digestive challenges, finding a qualified chiropractor for baby reflux near me can provide the specialized attention needed to address both the oral restrictions and the compensatory patterns affecting the spine and nervous system.

Why Traditional Approaches May Fall Short

While surgical intervention (frenotomy) can release the physical restriction of the tongue tie, There is muscular tension that accompanies tongue-tie, which is frequently not released when the tongue-tie is revised. So while clipping the frenulum allows the tongue to move more freely, it doesn’t address the big layered picture of what else may be going on. CranioSacral Therapy can help these underlying restrictions in the body that is keeping your baby from getting better and more efficient at eating, even after a clip or a laser has been done.

This is where the expertise of practitioners like Dr. Paul Roses in Bayonne, New Jersey becomes invaluable. Initially, Dr. Paul Roses wanted to be a pediatrician in order to help as many children as possible. His background and dedication to pediatric care, combined with advanced chiropractic techniques, positions him uniquely to address the complex interplay between oral restrictions and spinal dysfunction.

A Comprehensive Treatment Approach

CranioSacral Therapy done before a tongue-tie release will relax the musculature which makes it easier for the provider to see and remove all of the tie. It also helps to calm the system which means the procedure will go easier for the baby/child or adult. CranioSacral therapy after helps continue the process started before to release the tight muscles so that they can function optimally.

The benefits of addressing tongue tie through chiropractic care include:

  • Your baby may feel more comfortable, poop more, sleep better, and have better latch or feeding skills
  • They often report improvements in their baby’s feeding, reducing fussiness, and better sleep patterns
  • tongue-tied patients often have a lot of tension in their face, neck and jaws that resolves almost immediately after their release. Others have forward head posture that also resolves after the release.

When to Seek Professional Help

Your baby experiencing gas, colic, clicking while feeding, poor weight gain, fussiness, trouble staying on the breast or generalized pain for mom-may all be signs that point to tongue-tie, or at the very least a suck swallow breathe issue in the feeding process.

More than anything, if your baby does have a tongue tie, the best approach is a team approach—working with SLPs, lactation consultants, dentists, ENTs & chiropractors to assure that all parts of your baby’s issue are addressed, and they can go on with normal development in all areas.

Hope for Struggling Families

Understanding the connection between tongue tie and spinal dysfunction offers new hope for families dealing with persistent infant feeding and digestive issues. Proactive measures against tongue tie could significantly lessen such difficulties related to feeding and digestion by allowing the affected youngster access to more diverse nourishment crucial for healthy development. Early treatment is key in avoiding enduring digestive issues while bolstering overall wellness for children facing this condition.

By addressing both the oral restrictions and the compensatory spinal patterns through specialized pediatric chiropractic care, families can find comprehensive solutions that go beyond treating symptoms to address root causes. This holistic approach not only improves immediate feeding challenges but also supports optimal development and prevents long-term complications that can arise from untreated tongue tie and its associated spinal dysfunction.

If your baby is experiencing feeding difficulties, digestive issues, or persistent fussiness, consider consulting with a pediatric chiropractor who understands the intricate relationship between oral function and spinal health. Early intervention can make a significant difference in your child’s comfort, development, and overall well-being.