Scroll Top

Tongue and Lip Ties

Treatment tailored to your child’s needs

Tongue and lip ties are conditions present at birth that can cause lingering issues for children. Tongue ties consist of the presence of a band of tissue (lingual frenulum) that tethers the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth and restricts the tongue’s range of motion. A lip tie consists of the presence of a band of tissue (labial frenulum) behind the upper lip that can can prevent the upper lip from moving freely.

Physical therapy can help. We can provide information on performance of intra-oral stretching as well as performing myofascial release and craniosacral therapy techniques. Together, these will help decrease restrictions present throughout the body to enhance function and allow for improved efficiency with breathing, latching, and feeding.

Tongue & Lip Tie Symptoms

Symptoms of tongue and lip tie can vary and present in both mom and/or infant. Read through common symptoms we see at Core below.

infant feet in circle

Infant

  • Struggling to latch on to the breast
  • Difficulty breathing during feeding
  • Making a clicking sound while nursing
  • Falling asleep while nursing
  • Poor weight gain
  • Colic
  • Difficulty breathing, mouth breathing

silhouette of mother and child

Mother

  •  Bleeding/cracked nipples
  • Painful nursing
  • Plugged ducts
  • Mastitis

medical sign in blue circle

Other

  • Speech problems
  • Sleep apnea
  • Problems chewing/swallowing food
  • TMJ pain and impairments
  • Head and neck pain
  • Crowded teeth
  • Difficulty moving tongue toward the roof of the mouth, or side to side

Do I need a referral from a physician?

Iowa is a direct access state, meaning if you carry private insurance your child can be seen for care without a direct referral from a physician.

“This is not your typical physical therapy spot. You’re not on machine and over doing it, they know massage techniques to make your muscles and joints and INJURIES repair!!! Just go give them a shot FIRST not last when you feel like giving up. I have a very rare genetic condition that I was weary about letting anyone touch me but to have such sincere pain relief!”

Nicole-Alicia

“The physical therapists at Core Physical Therapy are, in my opinion, the best in the city. They are capable of taking even severely injured or traumatized tissue and returning it to health…& never once has anyone said to me, “No pain, no gain.” Trust these people, do exactly what they say, and you’ll thank me!!”

Michael

MEET OUR TONGUE & LIP TIE SPECIALISTS

BOOK YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT TODAY!