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.
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!
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!
I recently started chiropractic care and I’m thrilled with the results! The team here is incredibly knowledgeable and caring. Not only have they alleviated my pain, but they’ve also provided me with exercises and tips to maintain a healthy posture. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking holistic and effective care.
McCue is by far the best chiropractor group I have ever been to. Myself and my son, who suffered from a severe tongue tie, started seeing Melissa by a simple google search and it was literally the best thing that happened to us. Not only was she amazing with my then 2 month old, but she also linked us with a CST therapist and made amazing recommendations that have not only made major improvements with both my and my sons health, but now my little guy is all caught up and LOVES coming to see her for maintenance. They are so accommodating for schedules, they have great communication with all of their patients, their facility is spotless and Melissa and her husband are the most down to earth people you will ever meet. Our family will never see anyone else!
Highly recommend Dr. Mike for pregnancy aches and pains! He is excellent. I was seeing a different chiropractor from weeks 16-27, but wanted to ensure I had a chiropractor certified in the Webster Technique (in case I end up with a breech presentation baby). I am so glad I switched when I did to Dr. Mike, but do wish I had found this practice earlier in my pregnancy. His approach is completely different to the other provider, but I feel much more confident and safe in his care. He always ensures my comfort with the use of a pregnancy pillow, wedge, and offering me a hand to reposition (easier said than done sometimes!). The office is homey, but clean and professional. The office staff are lovely and I have had no trouble scheduling appointments outside of my work hours. I am sure Dr. Melissa is excellent as well but is not in-network with my insurance, so I have not met her!
Dr. Melissa is wonderful! She is so gentle, knowledgeable, and skilled when working with my infant daughter. We are so grateful for her care and expertise!
Dr. Melissa is great. Got to my 1st appointment early and didn’t have to wait at all. She explained everything before and during the adjustments, took a good amount of time to learn my medical history and all of my ailments… and my pinched nerve (the reason I made the appt.) was better within 2 days! She was also very accommodating to my schedule and understanding on a last minute cancellation due to a migraine and in general very friendly and kind as is her son who was the receptionist.
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.
Dr. Melissa has been working with our baby for months and months now, and I have received a few adjustments from her as well. She is always a joy to work with, and cares so much about every aspect of your wellbeing. We always noticed immediate improvements after a visit, and she has a wealth of knowledge and resources on so many other health related topics too. She is so kind and supportive, it is always a highlight of our day to visit her cozy office. She definitely opened my eyes to what the world of chiropractic care can offer. And her lovely family team makes it so easy to schedule and ask questions via text. Please don’t hesitate to book an appointment with her!