TOTs Explained – Tongue Tie, Lip Tie, Cheek TieTOTs (tethered oral tissue) refers to a fascial restriction that can cause tension in the mouth, skull, body or neck. It can be located under the tongue, in the cheeks, and/or under the lips. TOTs can negatively affect breastfeeding and bottle feeding, chewing and swallowing, speech, sleep, breathing and body movement or posture. There are many symptoms of TOTs and not every child will have the same symptoms.
Infants can present with poor feeding, breast or bottle, lack of weight gain, reflux, excessive gas, constipation, mouth breathing, torticollis (persistent head tilt to one side), favoring a side to look at or lay on, misshapen head and colic. Some infants will fail to meet developmental milestones such as sitting up, rolling over, or crawling on all fours when a tethered oral restriction is present.
Toddlers and older children can present with speech delays or articulation problems, developmental milestone delays, headaches, neck pain, reflux, gagging, choking or spitting up food, texture sensitivities, digestive disorders, mouth breathing or poor sleep.
Tethered oral tissue creates a body imbalance which can create a brain imbalance. Starting from week 10 in utero, a newborn with TOT is swallowing with restrictions. Tethered Oral Tissue chiropractic adjustment bodywork is to create an environment that is functioning at its optimal level pre-release and post release.
Chiropractic adjustments (bodywork) for TOTs is a hands-on touch therapy to relieve tension in the child’s soft tissues which strengthens and lengthens the muscles especially those associated with breathing and feeding. Slow gentle movements across the child’s body helps soft tissues to release tension and reorganize. Chiropractic adjustments (bodywork) may include the head, neck, shoulders, trunk, hips, feet and work with alignment. Chiropractic adjustments (bodywork) also helps support neurological integration, the process by which a baby learns to control and move their body.
All of the issues that chiropractic adjustments (bodywork) can fix can be symptoms for tongue-tied children – particularly breathing and eating. Chiropractic adjustments (bodywork) can help to ameliorate the negative effects of TOTs. Facia connects the body from head to toe and tension in the mouth from a tongue tie, lip tie, or cheek tie creates tension elsewhere in the body. Chiropractic adjustments (bodywork) can release the tension to support healing.
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Melissa! We found her after my son had been through three rounds of antibiotics for ear infections basically in a row. I heard chiropractic care might work and I was ready to try anything. She made my one year old feel comfortable within the first visit. The second visit I remember him going from being too stuffy to nurse to able to breathe through his nose about a half hour after his adjustment. I was a believer then. Through the months that followed Dr. Melissa provided support not only in person, but through text as well. She taught us a lot about ear infections, showed us massage to prevent, and talked to use about supplements to support his immune system. Several months after seeing her, my son’s fluid (which doctors thought would never drain) was completely GONE. I couldn’t believe it! I can not recommend her enough and will always go for adjustments over antibiotics in the future when it comes to my little guy’s ears. It WORKS!
So far so good! We took our 8 week old daughter to see Melissa after her tongue, lip and cheek tie releases. She was very knowledgeable and gentle with our daughter. My daughter was smiling the whole time. We look forward to working with Melissa more.
We love both doctors at this office!! I have taken my daughter there since she was 2 months for her tongue tie and tension. Once we implemented chiro care she made extensive improvements!! Now that I’m pregnant again I’ve been getting adjusted and always feel so much better after! These hips need all the help they can get carrying two so close together! Even my mom has joined in on getting adjusted and has seen a significant improvement in her migraines! I can’t recommend them enough!
Dr Melissa and Dr Mike are fantastic. Melissa helped our infant son with his head shape and torticollis, and Mike treated me when I had lower back disk issues. They always find ways to squeeze you in when your requests are last minute and have stayed late to ensure they could treat us. They are both highly competent and very personable. I highly recommend them.
My family and I have been seeing Dr. Mike for over a year now. When I started, I was experiencing severe pain from sciatica. I’ve been pain free since going to Dr. Mike. Look forward to my regular maintenance visits. Highly recommended!