What Is Tongue Tied & Sensory Processing in Evergreen CO

Tongue tie, or tethered oral tissues (TOTS), is when the base of the tongue is tied to the floor of the mouth by a piece of skin tissue called fascia. This tissue or tether can limit the range of motion of the tongue and how the mouth grows, moves, and develops. This tether occurs at conception due to a genetic variation due to increased parental stress and is fully formed by 4 weeks of pregnancy. TOTS can lead to many issues such as breastfeeding or latch issues, airway issues because the tongue can block the airway, dental issues, sleeping issues, and postural issues because it is a midline problem.

Chiropractic care is needed for children with TOTS because this tether runs from the tongue all the way down through the body to the toe flexors and it can cause the head to be flexed forward, legs flexed up, and the body pulled to one side. Chiropractic care can help decrease this tension and increase the range of motion of the spine so that it moves properly in a segmental, corkscrew fashion. Remember, 90% of stimulation of the brain occurs with proper spinal movement. So, when our spine moves properly, our brain grows properly, and we reach proper developmental milestones, such as rolling, over, sitting up, crawling, and walking. Chiropractic care in Evergreen CO encourages proper spinal and brain development.

Dr. Katy has advanced training to identify a tie and remove body tension pre and post-revision and she works with a group of highly skilled dentists who can diagnose and release the tongue tie if needed. She also has a lactation consultant in the office, who can help with latch issues to the breast or the bottle pre and post-revision. Dr. Mooberry has created a team of skilled providers to help these children thrive post tongue tie.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder in Evergreen CO?

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a complex disorder of the brain that affects developing children as well as adults in Evergreen. Individuals with SPD misinterpret everyday sensory information received from the five senses: touch, vision, sound, smell, and taste. In addition, there are two senses that are rarely heard of; the vestibular and proprioceptive senses. The vestibular system has its function housed in the upper cervical spine (neck), the inner ear, and the base of the brain (cerebellum). The proprioceptive system sends messages to the brain from information received from the spinal joints and all other joints of the body.

Some people with SPD feel bombarded by sensory information and are often overwhelmed. While others seek out sensory experiences and often may act out inappropriately. SPD can lead to behavioral problems, difficulties with coordination or attention, learning disorders, low self-esteem, and a variety of other issues.

Contributing Factors of SPD in Evergreen

It is estimated that as many as 1/20 children may suffer from SPD! Contributing Factors of SPD Include:

• Environment
• Toxicity Exposure
• Birth Trauma
• Breech Birth
• Cesarean Section Birth
• Hereditary
• Retained Primitive Reflexes
• Overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system
• Spinal Subluxations

Children with SPD are often misunderstood and labeled as aggressive, clumsy, inattentive, or “difficult”. They may also be diagnosed as having ADD/ADHD, or another diagnosis’s under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder. SPD can also co-exist with these disorders as well as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and others. The neurological disorganization resulting in SPD occurs in three different ways: 1) the brain does not receive messages due to a disconnection in the nerve cells 2) sensory messages are received inconsistently, or 3) sensory messages are received consistently but do not connect properly with other sensory messages. When the brain processes sensory messages poorly; inefficient motor, academic, or emotional output is the result.

Properly functioning vestibular and proprioceptive systems are two key components in developing a healthy sensory processing system. Because these two sensory systems have functions that are regulated by input from spinal areas, it is essential that children and adults with signs of SPD be evaluated by a family wellness chiropractor for vertebral subluxations (misalignments) of the spine that may be causing interference within the brain and sensory systems.