Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS): How Chiropractic & Cranial Adjusting Support Optimal Development
Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS): How Chiropractic & Cranial Adjusting Support Optimal Development
Tethered oral tissues (TOTS), commonly referred to as tongue-tie and lip-tie, are conditions where the frenulum—the small fold of tissue that connects the tongue or lip to the mouth—is overly tight or restrictive. While this condition is often recognized for its impact on breastfeeding, it also has profound effects on a baby’s nervous system, cranial structure, and overall body function.
At Happy Family Chiropractic, we recognize that TOTS is not just an oral issue—it is a full-body issue. By incorporating chiropractic care, cranial adjusting, and gentle bodywork, we help babies release tension patterns, improve feeding mechanics, and support optimal nervous system development.
The Connection Between TOTS and the Nervous System
The tongue plays a vital role in posture, breathing, and neurological function. When a tongue-tie is present, the restriction anchors the baby's nervous system, limiting natural movement and function from the mouth all the way down to the spinal cord and sacrum.
This restriction can create compensations in posture, feeding struggles, tension in the neck and shoulders, and even digestive discomfort. Since the tongue directly connects to the fascial system that extends throughout the body, an unresolved tongue-tie can pull on the entire nervous system, leading to:
♦Increased tension in the jaw, neck, and spine
♦Poor latch and feeding challenges
♦Colic, reflux, or digestive distress
♦Difficulties with sleep and self-regulation
♦Developmental delays in speech or movement
When the tongue and lip are freed through a proper release (frenectomy), the nervous system can expand and express itself as designed—allowing the baby to thrive, move, and feed comfortably. However, the release alone is not enough. Babies often need bodywork and cranial adjusting to fully integrate these changes.
Chiropractic Care & Cranial Adjusting for Tongue-Tie
At Happy Family Chiropractic, we use gentle, neurologically focused adjustments and cranial work to help babies release the tension caused by a tongue-tie. These techniques allow the body to adapt, unwind, and reset after a tongue-tie revision or even before a release to prepare the tissues.
How Chiropractic & Cranial Adjusting Help:
♥Releases tension in the cranial bones and jaw – Many babies with a tongue-tie develop tightness in their jaw and skull, affecting latch and feeding. Cranial adjusting helps restore balance.
♥Encourages proper spinal and nervous system function – Since a tongue-tie creates tension all the way down to the spinal cord and sacrum, chiropractic adjustments help free these restrictions, allowing the baby’s nervous system to function without interference.
♥Supports a strong, functional latch and feeding ability – A restricted tongue doesn’t move as freely as it should. Chiropractic adjustments support better oral function and coordination, leading to improved breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and later, speech development.
♥Aids in post-frenectomy healing – After a tongue-tie release, bodywork ensures that the tissues heal properly, preventing excessive scar tissue formation and restoring full mobility of the tongue.
When the Tongue-Tie is Released, the Nervous System Expands
Imagine the tongue-tie as an anchor holding the nervous system in a state of tension. When the restriction is released—either through bodywork alone or with a frenectomy—the nervous system finally has the freedom to expand and express itself fully.
With proper care, babies can experience:
♠Better digestion and gut function
♠Improved sleep patterns
♠Reduced tension in the spine and pelvis
♠Greater ease in movement and milestone development
♠A more relaxed, comfortable, and thriving nervous system
At Happy Family Chiropractic, we are passionate about supporting families through this process. If your baby has been diagnosed with a tongue-tie, or if you suspect they are struggling with tension from TOTS, we are here to help!
ð Call us today to schedule a gentle assessment and learn how chiropractic care can support your baby’s health and development.
Posted In:
Chiropractic
Newborn
Family Chiropractic
Cranial Adjustments
