The Importance of Pre and Post Surgical Therapy on Babies with Tongue Ties

As a parent, you want to do everything in your power to make this time as easy and painless for your baby as possible. As with most surgeries, the importance of therapy AFTER surgery is always discussed as it helps with recovery time. Perhaps even more important, however, is the therapy BEFORE the frenectomy. Let's dive into why.

If you have read my previous blog HERE you understand the signs of a tongue tie, symptoms and how to arrive at the diagnosis of a tongue tie and a recommendation for a frenectomy.. While the procedure is quick and fairly simple, a tongue tie surgery is still just that… surgery. That can make any parent nervous - especially new parents trying to navigate what is best for their baby! Rest assured, there are some very important steps you can take before even thinking about the frenectomy procedure.

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The idea of pre-release therapy is the same as stretching before you go for a run. Sure, you could get up and jog a 5K, but your muscles will not thank you for it the next day. When a therapist, or other knowledgeable provider such as a pediatric PT/OT/SLP who specializes in tongue ties is able to provide pre-release therapy, your baby will receive many benefits including learning the correct oral motor skills needed. A skilled therapist can also provide information on when it would be best for your baby to receive the release procedure. Pre-release therapy focuses on preparing the body for the procedure by alleviating tension and improving movement patterns. It helps optimize the surrounding muscles and tissues, making the post-release rehabilitation smoother and more effective.  A Tongue tie release won’t make a significant difference until the movement dysfunction and postural imbalances improve.

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Pre-frenectomy therapy, also known as prehab, plays a crucial role in optimizing a patient’s condition before undergoing ANY procedure.

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Here are 5 key reasons why prehab therapy is essential:

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1. Enhances Physical Ability: Prehab therapy focuses on improving strength, flexibility, and overall preparedness. This ensures that the baby is in the best possible ‘shape’ which can facilitate a smoother and more rapid recovery process.

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2. Reduces Complications: A baby who is in better physical condition before a procedure is less likely to experience complications during or after the procedure. This is why eliminating or at least reducing the baby’s tension and tightness is paramount to a successful outcome. It is also why some babies who undergo the procedure do not improve or worsen.

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3. Boosts Psychological Preparedness: Prehab therapy not only addresses the physical aspect but also helps mentally prepare the patient and the family for the upcoming procedure. It is so important that a baby and parents are ‘used to’ having hands in their mouth. This can reduce anxiety and stress levels, leading to a more positive overall experience.

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4. Promotes Faster Recovery: Babies who have undergone prehab therapy often experience a faster improvement in function. Because they have been working on addressing functional issues all along, there is a significant difference in their return to daily routines.

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5. Improves Long-Term Outcomes: Studies have shown that patients who undergo prehab therapy tend to have better long-term outcomes compared to those who do not. They definitely experience improved functional abilities more rapidly.

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Therapy plays a crucial role both before and after a tongue tie release because it addresses the underlying issues contributing to movement dysfunction and posture as well as sensory issues.

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This brings us to post-release therapy. This is essential as well, since it aims to retrain and strengthen the muscles affected by the tongue tie. This includes exercises to enhance tongue mobility, coordination, and overall function. Therapy post-release encourages the body to adapt to the newly gained mobility, ensuring the tongue and surrounding structures function optimally.

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Therapy assists in preventing the recurrence of issues related to tongue tie by promoting proper habits and ensuring the body adapts well to the changes brought about by the release. It’s this combination of pre and post-release therapy that maximizes the effectiveness of the tongue tie release procedure. See it in action HERE!

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**Tip: The timing of the tongue tie release matters! Things may get worse if the baby wasn’t ready. Unfortunately, we see this all the time. Make sure you have a team who is collaborating and helping you understand when and how to best support you and your baby.

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At Milk Matters PT, all our therapists are trained in oral motor work, manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education as well as comprehensive training in developmental play and milestones. We like to keep it all in house so there is no need for parents to seek out several different types of practitioners.

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We believe every child follows a unique path on their developmental journey as they grow and achieve milestones. We customize treatment plans specifically for your child so you can confidently reach your goals as a family and thrive.

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I have personally seen much better outcomes on babies who have at least 2-3 therapy sessions before the release is performed. Because tongue ties occur when the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short, thick, or tight, it restricts the tongue’s normal range of motion and strength, it also causes a tightening of the fascial system, causing tension and tightness in a baby’s body. The significance of functional neuromuscular re-education and enhancing a baby's movement patterns becomes clear when considering a tongue-tie release procedure. These approaches are crucial as they assist in reducing tension and tightness while they also concentrate on improving tongue function and sucking ability, employing exercises and positions that are suitable for the baby's developmental stage.

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Schedule an appointment today at Milkmatterspt.com.

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We pride ourselves on supporting parents and babies - see what some of our families have to say here!

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