Little Feet Pediatric Therapy, a pediatric therapy clinic in Washington DC with four locations nationwide, is excited to announce a comprehensive new report that examines the relationship between tongue ties (also known as tethered oral tissues or TOTs), feeding difficulties, and torticollis in infants. The report reveals how these seemingly separate conditions may actually be interconnected, offering insight into the importance of early intervention and holistic treatment approaches.
For those who don’t know, torticollis and TOTs are relatively common childhood ailments. Torticollis, sometimes referred to as “wry neck,” is a condition in which a baby's head and neck are tilted to one side. This can lead to challenges with head movement, eye tracking, and feeding, among others. The culprit is sometimes muscle tightness in the neck, particularly the sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, muscle. However, it’s not always known what causes it. Though torticollis can be alarming for parents, it is typically treatable by a pediatric occupational therapist.
Meanwhile, TOTs refer to abnormal tightness or restriction in the frenulum – thin bands of tissue that connect different parts of a child’s mouth. This can include a tongue tie, lip tie, or buccal (cheek) tie. Each example restricts oral movement. This may lead to trouble feeding, particularly with breastfeeding, as an infant may struggle to latch properly. Symptoms of tongue ties can include difficulty latching, clicking sounds while feeding, and gassiness, among others.
At first, these two conditions may not seem related.
However, there is a notable connection between torticollis and tongue ties. In both conditions, muscle tightness plays a role. For instance, the shortened SCM muscle seen in torticollis is also a common issue for children with tongue ties. Additionally, restrictive tongue ties can lead to difficulty breathing, which may result in an infant’s body compensating by stretching in one direction, thus exacerbating the tilt associated with torticollis.
“While a causal link has yet to be established between tongue tie and torticollis,” says the report, “it’s still an important consideration. If a child’s torticollis is linked with their tongue tie, we need to take a different approach to treatment.”
Little Feet Therapy emphasizes that addressing both torticollis and tongue ties simultaneously may lead to better outcomes. When treating torticollis, it is essential to evaluate whether a tongue tie is contributing to feeding difficulties or neck tension. In cases where a tethered oral tissue is present, treating the tongue tie can enhance the effectiveness of torticollis therapy and vice versa.
Those interested in exploring Little Feet’s DC pediatric therapy clinics are encouraged to visit the clinic’s website. The report, titled “The Relationship Between Tongue Ties, Feeding Difficulty, and Torticollis,” is available on their website.
Media Contact
Company Name: Little Feet Pediatric Therapy
Contact Person: Shawn Leis, MPT
Email: Send Email
Phone: 1 (704) 931-8022
Address:1331 H St NW Ste 200
City: Washington
State: DC 20005
Country: United States
Website: https://littlefeettherapy.com/
