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.
My daughter was delivered via c-section due to her awkward positioning in the womb and my lactation consultant referred me to Dr. McCue to help alleviate some of the issues I was having with my 3 month old. She has been such a blessing. She works so well with babies and is such a caring person. We highly recommend her!
Dr. Mike of River’s Edge Chiropractor takes good care of my daughter and I, and my back and neck feel great. I am new to the area and needed to find a chiropractor. When I found Dr. Mike he got my back and neck in great shape in very little time. His receptionist Sarah is so organized and helpful, and I’m able to schedule appointments in a timely fashion. Very appreciative of Dr. Mike and his office in Lambertville. If you need a good chiropractor in Lambertville, look no further than Dr. Mike McCue.
Dr. Melissa & Dr. Mike are the best! They genuinely care about their patients. My family loves going to get adjusted! My kids actually beg me to make appointments! They are also very knowledgeable about living a healthy lifestyle. Thank you for always taking such great care of me & my family!
A couple years ago I was experiencing frequent migraines, neck pain, and spasms. I tried various methods to address it, but it only got worse to the point of debility, until I finally went to Colonial Valley Chiropractic. A series of about a dozen adjustments, acupuncture with Andy, and massage resolved the issue, and I felt much better in other ways as well. I’m really grateful for their help and support.
Love Dr Mike. He takes his time and i never feel rushed. I walk out of each appointment feeling much better then when I entered
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!
We love Dr. Melissa!! She is warm and inviting. She is so knowledgeable and always makes us comfortable. Truly the best around and highly recommend both her pediatric and regular chiropractic services