What Is Really Causing Tongue Ties?

The common belief is that tongue ties are purely a mechanical issue—that if we simply fix the physical restriction, the problem will go away. However, the reality is more complex. The true root cause of tongue ties goes beyond what we can see and is linked to neurological dysautonomia and tone issues.  

When the body’s tone is sympathetic-dominant (“fight-or-flight” state), it can lead to overall tension and tightness in the tissues. While it’s certainly an option to release a tight frenulum, this approach alone is incomplete because it doesn’t address the underlying neurological stress. The tension in the tissue is actually a compensatory and protective response to dysfunction in the nervous system.  

In every case of tongue tie we encounter, there is a history of prenatal or birth-related stress, along with some degree of neurological dysfunction, which we can measure through INSiGHT scans. Many parents bring their children in after one or two frenectomy procedures, with issues like feeding challenges, sleep disturbances, ear infections, and sensory struggles persisting. This happens because the root cause — the stress on the nervous system — was never fully addressed. 

Our recommendation is to address this stress as early as possible by combining nervous system-focused chiropractic care with other treatment plans. This approach ensures that we are not just treating the symptoms, but the underlying neurological dysfunction contributing to the tongue tie! We work closely with pediatric dentists, IBCLCs, and craniosacral therapists for collaborative care to determine what approach is right for your baby.

If you have any questions about nervous system centered chiropractic care for your family, please reach out or make an appointment below.