tie release: the importance of myofunctional therapy and bodywork

Myofunctional Therapy (IBCLC for infants)

There is a proper way for the tongue and lips to function. When you have a tongue and/or lip tie you cannot function properly, and your mouth and body begins to compensate. Myofunctional therapy retrains the muscle memories, and prepares the tongue and lips for the release so that you do not resort back to the previous dysfunction. 

Completing myofunctional therapy before and after a release ensures that the patient recovers faster and reaps the maximum benefits of the release. 

Myofunctional therapy can make such a difference in the outcome of a tongue, lip, or cheek (buccal) tie release that it is a requirement at the practice I work. For infants, a tie-trained IBCLC should be seen. This is a great post on the role of an IBCLC in a frenectomy.

Bodywork (with a focus on fascia)

Tongue and lip ties create tension in the mouth, and because the fascia is how we are connected from head to toe, this results in tension throughout the entire body. 

Bodyworkers with an expertise In fascia help release the tension pre-surgery, ensuring the surgery is easier for both the surgeon and patient. The less tension in the mouth, neck, and head before and after surgery means less tension on the wound and overall better healing. 

When it comes to ties, it's just not about the restriction but what it's doing to the cranium. There's so much more to a release than "there's a tie, let's release it." It should be a TEAM effort! In fact, in our practice we do guided releases with an osteopath present because they can feel motion through the bones.

To reap the maximum benefits, bodywork before AND after a release is recommended.