How Chiropractic Care Can Support Infants with Tongue Ties

Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition present at birth in which the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth (the lingual frenulum) is unusually short, tight, or thick. This can limit the tongue’s range of motion and may interfere with breastfeeding, oral development, speech, and other functional movements such as chewing.
The range of motion of the tongue can be limited by many structures associated to the tongue directly or indirectly, such as a tight or retruded (set back) jaw, tight neck and or cranium and a tight floor or mouth. This typically occurs due to birthing trauma, position in utero and sometimes genetic structure of the jaw or palate.
There are many professional opinions on if and how a tongue tie should be treated if at all; such as a frenectomy which is the surgical release of the lingual frenulum.
Now days there’s increasing awareness of the role of bodywork therapies—such as Chiropractic care—in supporting both pre- and post-release outcomes, and in possibly avoiding surgical release all together.
 
What Does the Research Say?
Although research in this area is still developing, several studies and case reports suggest that chiropractic care can play a complementary role in the management of tongue ties, particularly by addressing biomechanical restrictions, muscular tension, and nervous system regulation that may affect an infant’s ability to feed effectively.
 
The ways in which Chiropractic care can help support infants with tongue ties are some of the following, 
 
 
1. Improving Feeding Function Through Structural Balance
Chiropractors trained in paediatrics use gentle, specific adjustments and cranial work to correct musculoskeletal imbalances that may contribute to feeding difficulties. For example:

• Torticollis (twisting of the neck) and cranial misalignments, such as plagiocephaly, can affect an infant’s ability to latch or suck efficiently.
• Restriction in the occipital, cervical, or jaw regions may reduce the tongue’s ability to move properly, even after a successful frenectomy (surgical release of the tongue tie).
• Gentle non-manual adjustments can help improve jaw mechanics and the suck-swallow-breathe coordination, essential for effective feeding.

 
2. Pre-Release Care: Preparing the Body for Optimal Outcome
Gentle non-manual Chiropractic care is often used prior to frenectomy to relieve tension and improve overall function. Releasing compensatory tightness in the body—especially in the cranium, neck, shoulders, floor of mouth and diaphragm—can help:
 

• Enhance the baby’s ability to adapt to the change in tongue function.
• Improve range of motion and function of the tongue
• Help identify a pseudo-tongue tie, which is physical restriction of the tongue due to supporting structures that are tight rather than a true tongue tie.
• Identify and help low facial tone which can affect breastfeeding and orofacial development.
• Reduce compensations that may have formed due to restricted oral movement.
• Make the procedure and recovery less stressful on the infant’s nervous system and easier for the Dentist, ENT or GP to perform the Frenectomy.

A well-prepared body can lead to a smoother recovery and better functional gains post-release.
 
3. Post-Release Recovery: Integration and Nervous System Regulation
 
After the tongue tie is released, the tongue must learn to move in new ways, and the body may go through a short period of neuromuscular re-education. Chiropractic care post-release can help:
 

• Release secondary tension patterns that may persist.
• Support integration of the new tongue movement.
• Improve vagal tone and reduce symptoms of overstimulation or irritability.

Combined with Orofacial myology and Lactation consultant therapy, Chiropractic can be part of a multidisciplinary approach to long-term functional improvement.
 
 
4. Cranial and Sacral Adjustments: Gentle and Effective
Many Chiropractors who have trained in paediatric care use cranial work—a gentle method to support the release of restrictions in the skull and dura (the tissue around the brain and spinal cord). Since the tongue connects to the hyoid bone and fascially to the cranium and the top 3 vertebra of the neck, cranial tension may contribute to tongue dysfunction and vice versa.
 
This approach supports:

• Tension release in the mouth, jaw, and upper cervical spine.
• Better fluid dynamics and nerve communication.
• A calmer and more regulated infant.

 
 
A Collaborative, Evidence-Informed Approach
Chiropractic is not a standalone treatment for tongue ties, but when used in conjunction with other therapies—such as lactation support, myofunctional therapy, and surgical release if needed —it can be a powerful tool to enhance outcomes. Many experienced Chiropractors in paediatric care work as part of an interdisciplinary team, ensuring infants and families receive holistic, individualised care.
 
Key Takeaways

• Chiropractic can support breast feeding, orofacial function and development by improving structural balance, relieving tension, and enhancing neuromuscular integration.
• Pre- and post-frenectomy Chiropractic care may lead to better feeding outcomes and faster recovery.
• Research is ongoing, but current evidence and case studies support Chiropractic as a valuable adjunct to comprehensive tongue tie management.
• A collaborative approach between chiropractors, lactation consultants, bodyworkers, and surgical providers yields the best results.

 
 
 
 
 
References
 
 

1. Hazelbaker, A. K. (2010). Tongue-Tie: Morphogenesis, Impact, Assessment and Treatment (2nd ed.). Columbus, OH: Aidan & Eva Press.
2. Knox, I. (2010). Tongue tie and frenotomy in the breastfeeding newborn. NeoReviews, 11(9), e513–e519. https://doi.org/10.1542/neo.11-9-e513
3. Pomper, J., & Valente, J. (2019). Chiropractic and breastfeeding: A narrative review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, 18(1), 1628–1634.
4. O’Neill, E. N., et al. (2015). Chiropractic management of breastfeeding difficulties: A case series. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 14(2), 83–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2014.11.003
5. Walker, M. (2006). Breastfeeding Management for the Clinician: Using the Evidence (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
6. Douglas, P. (2015). Re-thinking lactation-related nipple pain and damage. Breastfeeding Review, 23(1), 11–20.
7. Ball, T. M., & Bennett, D. M. (2021). Infant musculoskeletal tension and functional breastfeeding difficulties: A pilot study of therapeutic touch and bodywork. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 26, 9–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.01.008
8. Australian Breastfeeding Association. (2022). Tongue Tie. Retrieved from https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/tongue-tie
9. McCarty, M. (2016). Multidisciplinary management of tongue-tie: Professional perspectives. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 31(3), 36–42.